Muhammadiyah-NU Condemns Ade Armando's Beating Accompanied By Tawhid Recitation

Ade Armando had an argument with the demonstrators/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - University of Indonesia lecturer Ade Armando was seriously injured after being beaten by a number of mobs in front of the DPR building shortly after the mass from BEM SI dispersed.

At first, the social media activist was seen attending a student demonstration held by BEM SI in front of the Indonesian Parliament Building on April 11, 2022. Ade, in a black shirt, had an interview with journalists.

He said he regretted the division within the Indonesian Student Executive Board or BEM SI.

"I didn't join the demo. But I am monitoring and I want to express my support, but I heard that BEM SI was broken," said Ade Armando before the crowd gathered in front of the Indonesian Parliament building, Monday, April 11, 2022.

After BEM SI conveyed his demands in front of the DPR leadership, Ade Armando was seen arguing with a line of mothers who were taking part in the demonstration. He was shouted at as a provocateur because of his statements that often cornered certain groups.

Ade Armando was brought by a friend to get away from the demonstration site. But the crowd just got bigger and bigger.

Not long after, Ade Armando was hit in the back of the head by a man in a hat. He staggered and crashed onto the asphalt after being hit by multiple punches.

Ade was later rescued by several plainclothes police officers. He was carried into the House of Representatives.

According to reports in the field, Ade Armando was shouted at as a religious blasphemer. After some time, the perpetrators of the beatings were also seen in a circulating video.

One of them is in Denny Siregar's account. The video was in the spotlight because a number of masses ganged up on Ade Armando by saying the monotheistic sentence 'laa ilaaha illallah'. Even in another viral video, there are those who cheer that Ade Armando's blood is 'halal' to be killed.

The violent act accompanied by the sentence of monotheism was then condemned by Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama.

General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu'ti expressed his concern over the acts of violence. He emphasized that whatever the reason, acts of violence and taking the law into their own hands cannot be justified.

Abdul Mu'ti said Islam forbids the act. Even if you don't like someone.

"Islam forbids humans from committing violence or harming innocent people. No matter how much they dislike it, one cannot be cruel to others," Abdul Mu'ti told reporters, Monday, April 11.

Abdul Mu'ti called the actions of these individuals included in the category of criminal acts. He asked the police to investigate thoroughly.

"In positive law, vigilantism is a criminal act. The perpetrators must be thoroughly investigated and legally processed," he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the MUI for Fatwa Asrorun Niam is concerned that he also regrets that the activity of conveying student aspirations was tainted by not being anarchist against Ade Armando.

"We are concerned about the incident. We wish you a speedy recovery. The activity of expressing student opinions as a controlling force must be kept pure, not tarnished by acts of anarchy," Asrorun told reporters, Monday, April 11.

Asrorun did not agree with this action. He said the act of upholding the truth (amar ma'ruf) must be carried out in the right way and not anarchic, let alone harm people.

"In Islam, amar ma'ruf must be done in a way that is makruf, can't be anarchic, let alone threaten life," he said.

"Everyone must refrain from insults and mutual worship, accusing each other," continued Asrorun.