A Mosque in Aceh Province Burned Down

Study hall and the pondation of the At-Taqwa mosque building in Aceh Province was burned down on Tuesday (17/10). Photo: sangpencerah.

Aceh, MINA – Mosque of Taqwa built by Muhammadiyah organisation in Sangso Village, Bireuen District of Aceh was burned by a mob, Tuesday (17/10) at around 20:00 pm local time.

The pillars of the mosque’s construction were burned by unknown men. General Secretary of Muhammadiyah Central Executive Abdul Mu’ti confirmed the incident.

“According to the information from Aceh, the study hall and basic iron pillar of the mosque construction was burned,” he said in a written statement received by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA) in Jakarta, Wednesday.

He added that the study hall has been used for Muhammadiyah community for many years. While the mosque is also officially registered.

Muhammadiyah hopes to the Government, especially the law enforcement apparaturs, to take firm action against the perpetrators, regardless of their motivation, and whoever the perpetrators are. The government should not allow religious violence to continue.

“Previously, the Bireun Government rejected the establishment of the Muhammadiyah Mosque. Now the community burns the building. They accuse Muhammadiyah as Wahabi,” Abdul said.

He said the allegations showed a lack of public understanding towards Muhammadiyah and were triggered by a negative national statement to Muhammadiyah and rated Muhammadiyah as Wahabi.

On different occasions, Head of Humman Rights National Commision Maneger Nasution said the state had a mandate to stop the intolerant act. He asked the authorities to explain to the public about the incident.

“The establishment of worship houses (let alone fulfilling the procedure) is the constitutional right of the citizens, especially the right to religious freedom (Article 28E Paragraph (1) and 29 of the 1945 Constitution, and Article 22 of Law No.39 of 1999 on Human Rights),” he said.

He added that if there were differences of views between one party and the other, there were still other, more elegant, effective, and credible mechanisms to convey the aspirations of a different perspective by promoting dialogue.(T/RE1/P2)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)