Sunnis Invite Shiites to Convert or Lose Heads

Several Shiites in recent days revealed their experiences of intimidation upon returning to their hometowns, with some threatened with beheading and the destruction of their homes if they did not convert to Sunnism.

 
(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Shiite children attend classes Sidoarjo, East Java.

Many Shiite families have been forced to move to Sidoarjo from their homes in Sampang. (JG Photo/Fajrin Raharjo)


Many Shiite Muslims returning to Madura for Idul Fitri last week were given an ultimatum that forced them to convert to Sunnism or leave the troubled East Java island.

Several Shiites in recent days revealed their experiences of intimidation upon returning to their hometowns, with some threatened with beheading and the destruction of their homes if they did not comply. The campaign appeared to be carried out with the support of the local government, the police and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), as well as the national government’s National Unity and Political Agency (Kesbangpol).

“The [Sampang] district government and some kyai [clerics] have a program to lead people to return to the right path,” said one young Shiite, Nukholis, citing Mat Hasan, the local chief in his hometown Nangkernang.“ ‘I’m not threatening you, but people here don’t want Shiites to live here,’ ” Nurkholis said on Monday, quoting Hasan.

“He also said that the Indonesian Ulema Council in Sampang wanted me to return to the right path.” Nukholis, a souvenir seller working on Bali, said he was pressured to visit the home of Syaifudin, a Sampang cleric.

Hat tip: RoP