Guardian: Millions of Jakarta residents will go to the polls on Wednesday in a vote that is being seen as a “litmus test” of Indonesian Islam.
In the capital of the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, the incumbent Jakarta governor Basuki Purnama Tjahaja, better known as Ahok, is battling to retain his seat.
Ahok, a Christian from the country’s ethnic Chinese minority, is clinging to a slight lead in the polls against Anies Baswedan, the former education minister, and Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, son of a former president.
Ahok was favourite to win the vote until he became embroiled in a blasphemy scandal. Accused of insulting Islam, he has been forced to defend what many believe are politically motivated charges.
Mass protests by religious hardliners and the legal proceedings that followed have led some observers to view Wednesday’s election as a test of Indonesia’s much-touted commitment to pluralism.
“I think this is going to be a litmus test of Indonesian Islam,” said Tobias Basuki, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Are we tolerant or intolerant?”
Categories: Anti Islam act by Muslims, Indonesia, interfaith, Interfaith tolerance, ISLAM, The Muslim Times
Why do people involve religion in every matter ? Muslims must come out from this phobia . True religion does not need power . There are many Muslim rulers in the world . Can anyone call them as asset ? In fact , renaissance of Muslims has been linked with the man of God . Unfortunately , Muslims have rejected him and trying to have shelter in Muslim rulers . They must understand that everything can be changed but Allah’ s verdict . As far as question of blasphemy case is considered , I don’t know but one thing I can say very confidently that when they blame ahmadies for blasphemy they can charge anyone . I know only one truth I.e; ahmadies love Huzoor SAW and no one can match . It will be better for Muslims that they don’t polarize the society in the name of religion , and secondly surrender before Allah’ s verdict .
It is not a test on ‘Islam’, it is a test on mis-using religion for political and personal reasons.