Indonesian sect members fear reprisal attacks
Updated
Indonesian liberals say a quasi-ban on the country's minority Ahmadiyya sect will give hardline Muslims a green light to pressure Jakarta for other concessions. On Monday President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's government issued a decree restricting the sect's activities, after days of demonstrations by supporters of the Islamic Defenders' Front, and an attack on a religious tolerance rally 10 days ago. The decree means Indonesia's 200,000 Ahmadis face arrest if they spread "interpretations and activities" which "deviate" from orthodox teachings. Many Ahmaddis now say they're frightened to leave their homes, and are worried Jakarta's ruling will encourage violence against them.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speaker: Khalid Saifullah, National Vice President of the Ahmadiyah Muslim Association of Australia
