Shiite Cleric Jailed for Blasphemy in Indonesia

The Jakarta Globe, July 12, 2012


An Indonesian court sentenced a Shiite cleric Thursday to two years in prison for blasphemy, saying his teachings deviated from mainstream Islam and had caused “public anxiety.”

Tajul Muluk was arrested in April by police on the island of Madura off eastern Java amid anti-Shiite attacks that rights groups say were led by Sunni Muslims.

“Based on witness accounts and evidence presented, the defendant has been proven legally and convincingly guilty of blasphemy causing public anxiety,” chief judge Purnomo Amin Tjahjo told the Sampang district court.

During his teachings, Muluk said the Koran was not an authentic text, that Muslims should pray only three times a day, and that the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca was not obligatory, witnesses had told the court.

Mainstream Islam teaches that the hajj is one of five pillars of Islam and that Muslims should pray five times a day.

The judge said that Muluk had propagated Shiite teachings in his village of Nangkernang, where a nearby branch of the country’s top Islamic clerical council dubbed the denomination “deviant” from mainstream Islam.

Muluk said that he would file an appeal against the ruling.

“I feel that my dignity has been crushed. They accused me of being an infidel. I will file an appeal for the sake of my pride,” he told the court.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticized the court ruling and urged the Indonesian government to immediately release Muluk and repeal the country’s blasphemy laws.

The international rights watchdog said that Sunni militants had attacked Muluk’s village, burning houses, including Muluk’s home, as well as an Islamic school, and forcing 500 Shiite followers to flee their homes.

Indonesia guarantees freedom of religion through its constitution but has in recent years given light sentences to perpetrators of attacks on Christians and those from the Ahmadiyah Islamic minority, some of which have been fatal.

Agence France-Presse



( So if causing public anxiety is regarded a jailable offence, why isn't the FPI and related ilk not in the slammer? ) siK.

From JG

"During his teachings, Muluk said the Koran was not an authentic text, that Muslims should pray only three times a day, and that the hajj pilgrimage to Mecca was not obligatory, witnesses had told the court."

If what the witnesses said is correct, bro Muluk should have known better and praise his 'luck' that he only got two years in the slammer, if he would have uttered that in Wahabi country he would have lost his head!

siK.

Lucky man, Muluk !
Only 2 year in jail......


DK

Im sorry. Typo error. Pls refer to the below mentioned.

It is so sad to notice that the main purpose/goal of religion is often forgotten or put aside and that human's ego's prevail instead following the true meaning of religion: Believe in God/Allah and God's/Allah's rules only. Be a good human being according God's laws. In Christianity as well as in Islam and or other religions.


EXAMPLE:

Can anybody inform me about what and how much punishments those Imam's had been sentenced for having cheated true simple believers (Tani's working almost their whole life in the fields, saving and gathering the funds) who had sold their land and belongings, enabling them to pay their tickets to Mecca for fulfilling the pilgrimage.... and only a few days before taking off being noticed that there is no pilgrimage!!! That their money is not refunded by the Imam's who acted sheitanlikewise and those Imam's thusly breaking Allah's Laws???
[/quote]

EXAMPLE:

Mr. Farmer, you ought to hand over your chickens and pigs and cows and your daughters to the Counts/Earls/Lords and Church leaders, otherwise you will be doomed to hell and God will punish you and your family from now till the end of days.... say the frior/bishop and so on.

EXAMPLE:

We'll have to execute the so called son of Jaweh called Jesus, as he is teaching blasphemy and doing well to the poor and sick.... (Those priests judging him fearing their leading positions enabling them to live in wealth....)



I am getting tired of such all. Old times, modern times, it goes on and on:... people prevailing their own socalled importance and meanings and interpretation of holy words...


Pls mind: I am NOT accusing all....
Sultan Salahudin was a true believer and spared life's of 1000'nds of beaten Christians when taking over the city of Jerusalem during the crusades.
In reverse the king of Jerusalem Christians spared 1000'nds of Muslim life's too.

PLS MIND: Above statement is NEVER meant to hurt or insult whomever or whatever religion !!!!

@ my brother Henri..

--I can only tell you this, Allah (all praise be to Him) is the true Judge, for those who cheat or steal from those who have the least, in name of religion, they forfeit their place in Paradise and are consigned to eternal damnation in the realm of Sheitan--

siK.