South Sumatra outlaws Ahmadiyah

South Sumatra governor Mahyuddin N.S. on Monday issued a decree banning Islamic minority sect Ahmadiyah and any activities of the Indonesian Jamaah Ahmadiyah (JAI) organization from the region.

Mahyuddin said the decree was made in accordance with a joint- ministerial decree issued earlier this year ordering the sect to stop all religious activities or face charges for blaspheming Islam.

South Sumatra is the second region to outlaw the sect after West Sumatra.

In the decree, the governor also ordered the local Religious Affairs Agency and the High Prosecutors' Office to coordinate and take necessary measures in accordance with the ban.

The governor said the decision to ban Ahmadiyah was taken after a meeting between the regional administration, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Raden Patah State Islamic Institute, Religious Affairs Agency, prosecutors' office, police and several Islamic organizations.