A group of Ahmadiyya Muslims in Indonesia has been ordered to convert to Sunni Islam or face expulsion from Banka Island, where they live, off the coast of Sumatra.

"The Ahmadiyah congregation are not allowed to spread their religion. Ahmadiyah followers in Srimenanti village must immediately repent in accordance with Islamic sharia that there is no prophet after the prophet Muhammad," a statement by Banka Island’s leading official Fery Insani read, according to Fairfax Media.

He told them they would be expelled from the island if they refused to comply.

Ahmadiyya Muslims are seen as heretics by other groups since they believe their founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmed, was the messiah. Other sects say this contravenes the belief that Mohammed was the final prophet.

The dispute allegedly started when members of the Ahmadiyya community brought beef to other residents of the island during the Eid el-Ahda festival. Sunni Muslims then accused them of attempting to proselytize.

"If you don't leave, we will not be responsible for what happens,” a local resident told Ahmadi farmer Mr. Asro.

"If I have to go, I don't know where to,” Asro told the media. “Many Ahmadiyah followers fought for the independence war in Indonesia. Why can't we have the same rights as other Indonesians?"

Watch this public-relations film from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association to learn more of what Ahmadis say about themselves: