Indonesia: Christian governor to face trial for blasphemy
November 16, 2016
The Christian governor of Indonesia’s Jakarta province will go on trial for blasphemy, the AsiaNews service reports.
Basuki Purnama Tjahaja, popularly known as “Ahok,” will be charged with insulting Islam, and could face up to five years in prison. Police have reportedly questioned 40 witnesses about the charges against him, and decided that the evidence justified proceeding with the case.
Ahok—who also faces popular resentment because he is of Indonesia’s Chinese ethnic minority—drew angry responses at a political rally, when he quoted a passage from the Qu’ran, warning against acceptance of leadership by non-Muslims, and asked Islamic leaders not to use the passage against him.
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Further information:
- Jakarta, Christian governor Ahok to go on trial for blasphemy (AsiaNews)
- Indonesia: Muslims stage massive rally against Christian governor (CWN, 11/4)
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Posted by: [email protected] -
Nov. 20, 2016 10:26 AM ET USA
Typical response of Muslim majority. Beware of Muslim communities that start to have no go zones. Look to Dearborn Michigan.
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Posted by: R. Spanier (Catholic Canadian) -
Nov. 17, 2016 3:36 PM ET USA
"O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are (in fact) allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is (one) of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people." Qur'an 5:51
