Sect leader Mushaddeq stands trial for religous blasphemy

Jakarta, NU Online
The South Jakarta District Court opened Wednesday the trial of an Islamic sect leader facing charges of religious blasphemy for claiming to be a prophet.

Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah leader Ahmad Mushaddeq could face a maximum jail term of five years if found guilty of insulting Islam, prosecutor Muchammad Muhadjir said.<>

He said Mushaddeq, alias Abdussalam, had violated Criminal Code regulations on public enmity, abuse or blasphemy against a religion.

"The defendant is charged with blasphemy because he claimed to be the prophet of Almasih Al Maw'ud, or the savior," Muhadjir told the court.

Mainstream Muslims believe Muhammad was the last prophet and that there will be no other messengers from God.

Muhadjir said Mushaddeq's claim he was a prophet went against Islamic teachings.

Mushaddeq also taught his followers that daily prayers Ramadhan fasting and haj pilgrimage were not necessary.

"The defendant deliberately spread hatred among a religious community through his misguided teachings about a religion," Muhadjir told The Jakarta Post.

Mushaddeq founded Al-Qiyadah Al-Islamiyah in 2000 at Gunung Sari, Bogor, in West Java. He declared his prophecy on July 23 last year after 40 days of meditation at Gunung Bunder, also in Bogor.

Police said the group had approximately 41,000 disciples in nine cities nationwide, 60 percent of whom were students.

The Indonesian Ulema Council last year declared it a "heretical" Islamic sect and called for its disbandment.

Mushaddeq surrendered himself to the police on Oct. 29 last year. He then repented after a series of talks with Muslim leaders at the Jakarta Police headquarters.

He publicly admitted his sect was "misguided", and he apologized to Muslims for his teachings.

In response to the charges read in court, Mushaddeq said he did not object to the prosecutor's accusations.

"I accepted all the charges and turned it all over to my lawyer," said Mushaddeq, whose wife and three daughters also attended the trial.

After the court session, his lawyer Muhammad Tubagus Abduh said Mushaddeq would not rebut the charges.

The lawyer told reporters the trial was unnecessary because "my client has repented publicly".

Before the start of the session, Mushaddeq told reporters he understood why his case had shocked the predominantly Muslim country.

"I shocked people just like Prophet Muhammad shocked others 700 years ago when he declared his prophecy," he said.

The court adjourned the trial until Feb. 20 to hear from witnesses. (dar)