REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Citing Alquran Surah Al-Maidah verse 51 as a trick used by Muslim politician and ulama to influence Muslim not to vote for him in next year's election, Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) felt there was nothing wrong about his statement. He said, "I don't like to politicize sacred scripture."
Ahok asked the people to watch full version of the video that has gone viral. After watching it, Professor of Islamic Law of UIN Sunan Ampel Surabaya, KH Ahmad Zahro, said Ahok statement is tantamount to religious blasphemy. He explained Al Maidah verse 51 is a guidance for Muslim in choosing a leader. "By saying the verse is used to trick Muslim voters, he definetly has considered the Quran is a false and Islamic clerics and scholars were fooling the people," the alumni of Universitas al-Azhar, Kairo, Mesir said.
Executive Director of the Charta Politika Yunarto Wijaya has said, Ahok statement was blunder. "I can't comment in the religion aspect, but politically, Ahok's statement was blunder and it would be a burden electorally," he said via Twitter on Friday.
Ahok have been reported to the police for his statement. Regional Representative Council (DPD) member representing Jakarta area Fahira Idris, said the court will decide whether Ahok's statement a blasphemy or not. "Ahok doesn't have the authority to determines that his statement not a blasphemy,"
Fahira advised Muslim should react in a peaceful and constitutional manner. The anger should be expressed in a reasonable ways. "But hopefully our hearts remained calm. Let's show our quality as Muslims,'' Fahira said in her statement in Jakarta (7/10).
Meanwhile, Chief of The National Polices Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim), Inspector General Ari Dono Sukmanto said the police has received Habib Novel Chaidir Hasan report on religious blasphemy by Ahok. "We surely will process it," he affirmed.
Vice Chairman of The Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI), Zainut Tauhid Sa'adi, feared Ahok statemet about Al Maidah verse 51 would provoke Muslim anger because it is harassing religous teachings. "It can disturb the harmony of religious life and has the potency to cause disruption of national security," Zainut said.
A Jakarta resident, Irfan Noviandana, on Wednesday (10/5) made a petition on www.change.org. "As Indonesian citizen, especially Muslims, we are very objected to Ahok's statement which harassing The Holy Quran," said Irfan. Until Friday night, more than 65 thousand supporters have signed the online petition.
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