Compromising Religious Tolerance in Indonesia? The Ahmadiyah Controversy

Melissa Crouch

Melbourne Law School

Kultur, Forthcoming

Abstract:
Indonesia has a long history of religious tolerance. Ahmadiyah, a minority religious community that identifies with Islam, has existed peacefully in Indonesia for over 80 years. The Ahmadiyah community in Indonesia, however, is increasingly under threat of attack by radical Islamic groups, and faces demands for further restrictions by the state from conservative Islamic groups. This article explores both the past and present predicament of Ahmadiyah in Indonesia, and questions whether suggestions by the Minister of Religion to ban Ahmadiyh would compromise Indonesia's strong tradition of religious tolerance.

Keywords: Ahmadiyah, Indonesia, Religious Minority, Tolerance, Law