On 7 March before the Covid-19 Pandemic spread across the globe and the University of Jember adopted lockdown policy to minimize the spread of the virus, The Centre for Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Migration (CHRM2) University of Jember organized a small seminar and discussion on the rights of Jamaah Ahmadiyah as one of the religious minorities within Islam in Indonesia. Since its establishment in 2016, CHRM2 has been a strident supporter of minorities by organizing academic seminars, conferences and workshops, as well as by getting involved in human rights advocacy in the judicial institution.
The March discussion invited several Ahmadiyah members such as Fitria Sumarni, the editor of the edited book titled “Perjuangan Belum Berakhir”. The book is a compilation of articles from amicus curiae for the Judicial Review of Blasphemy Law 1/PNPS/1965 that was brought before the Constitutional Court of Indonesia in 2017, where the CHRM2 director is one of the contributors of the book. additionally, the discussion also invited the chairperson of the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) Jember, Prof. Dr. Halim Subahar. During the discussion, Prof Halim had deep discussion with Ahmadiyah prominent clerics.
As usual, CHRM2 also invited participants from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as Koalisi Perempuan Indonesia (KPI) Jember, academia, human rights activists, and students. The Centre hopes the discussion can develop and enrich religious pluralism as the fundamental element of Indonesian society.