Cerdikwan, Cerdikwan2025-02-142025-02-14https://hdl.handle.net/1885/733735240Most research on minority rights and religious conflict emphasises national inter-religious tensions. This study shifts the focus to intra-religious conflict at the local level, examining why Ahmadiyah followers, a Muslim minority in Indonesia, face persecution. Despite 568 recorded cases across 56 districts and cities, not all regions with restrictive religious regulations experience significant persecution, suggesting that other factors are at play. This study employs a comparative case study design, focusing on Depok, Bogor, and Bandung City, and draws on 70 in-depth interviews with stakeholders including mayoral candidates, religious leaders, Ahmadiyah followers, Islamic vigilante group leaders, and Muslim civil society organisations. The findings reveal a strong link between local political dynamics, particularly during mayoral elections, and the persecution of Ahmadiyah followers. Nearly 80% of these incidents occurred around elections, as candidates exploited Ahmadiyah issues to appeal to conservative Muslim voters. Three primary factors contribute to this persecution: (1) intense political competition, (2) the influence of conservative religious leaders, and (3) the weak impact of Muslim civil society organisations advocating for religious pluralism. This means that the persecution of the Ahmadiyah community is driven by local political dynamics, particularly during mayoral elections and intense political competition. Persecution escalates when there is fierce political rivalry, as candidates exploit the Ahmadiyah issue to enhance their Islamic credentials, gain votes from conservative Muslims, and secure support from Islamic hardliners and conservative local religious leaders. Additionally, the weak influence of Muslim civil society organisations supporting religious pluralism contributes to this persecution. This research underscores how electoral strategies at the local level can intensify religious persecution, offering insights into how such conflicts might be mitigated.en-AU202510.25911/51AV-FZ78