The Jakarta Post, March 07, 2006
Ahmadiyah followers lack of food, water
MATARAM, West Nusa Tenggara: Members of the Ahmadiyah Muslim sect, deemed
heretical by some for their nonconventional beliefs, are complaining of food and water
shortages at the transmigration transit center in Mataram they have been sheltering in
since being driven from their homes last month.
Ahmadiyah's leader in Ketapang village, Zainal Abidin, said Monday the relief aid
provided by the West Lombok Social Affairs Office for the 32 families, or 135 people,
was inadequate.
"The food assistance in the form of rice, instant noodles, tempeh and tofu is not
enough," he said.
The families have also faced clean water shortages for the past two weeks, and many
of the displaced people, around 20 percent of them children, are now suffering from
diarrhea and skin diseases.
West Lombok regency spokesman Basirun Anear said authorities were still
discussing whether the families would be allowed to return to their village. -- JP
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