Deputy Minister Of Raja Juli: I Condemn The Restrictions On Religious Freedom And Worship Of The Mayor Of Sukabumi

PSI politician Raja Juli Antoni. (Instagram @rajaantoni)

Deputy Minister of ATR/BPN, Raja Juli Antoni criticized efforts to restrict religious freedom and believe by prohibiting the use of public facilities in West Java for Eid prayers in 2023.

The King of July said that Muhammadiyah pilgrims were not given permission to perform Eid prayers at the Merdeka Sukabumi Lapang on April 21, 2023.

"I condemn the restrictions on freedom of religion and worship by the Mayor of Sukabumi," said the PSI politician, in his Twitter account, @RajaJuliAntoni, Monday, April 17.

The man who is familiarly called Toni said that the Muhammadiyah congregation had applied to use public facilities. This is a good procedural step. However, it is different from the response given to the permit.

Toni considered it would be nice for regional heads in West Java to have a high and wise attitude of tolerance in responding to differences because it is only natural for citizens to be guaranteed their rights in worship according to their respective religions and beliefs.

"This violates the constitution," he added.

Seeing this situation, Toni asked the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas to the Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil to be involved in resolving the restrictions on religious activities in Sukabumi.

"Such as disturbances in worship to Christians, Ahmadiyah etc. #Sikap Gus @YaqutCQoumas Pak Kapolri @ ListyoSigitP Kang @ridwankamil @RTMC_PoldaJabar," he said.

In his upload, Raja Juli also included Sukabumi Mayor's Letter number HK 09.01/598/1/10/HKM/2023.

In the upload, it was written "The answer to the Free Lapang Guarantee Letter" addressed to the Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Regional Leadership of Sukabumi City.

As for the letter agency dated April 4, 2023, it is written that the Ied prayer at the Merdeka Square, Sukabumi City, will be held by the Sukabumi City Government and the Sukabumi City Grand Mosque, where its implementation follows the results of the central government's decree through the Indonesian Ministry of Religion regarding the determination of 1 Syawal 1444 H.

After the circulation of the letter signed by the Mayor of Sukabumi, Achmad Fahmi, the issue of licensing the use of public facilities in Sukabumi for Eid al-Fitr 2023 prayers for Muhammadiyah pilgrims then became a polemic and was widely discussed on social media.