BASUKI TJAHAJA PURNAMA
AND INDONATIAN JUDICIARY
MUSLIMS ARE SAME EVERYWHERE
SARASIJ MAJUMDER
Another example from Indonesia shows how a democratic
country changes when Muslims become the majority. Verses of Quran can have different meanings
depending on who interprets them.
The case of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as AHOK, is one of the most high-profile legal and
political events in Indonesia in recent years. Ahok, a Christian of Chinese
descent, served as the Governor of Jakarta from 2014 to 2017. His tenure was
marked by significant infrastructure projects and efforts to improve governance.
But MUSLIMS didn’t like his direct and
often blunt but TRUTHFUL and impartial leadership
style.
HE WAS CHARGED BY BLASPHEMY, AND WAS CONVICTED.
THE BLASPHEMY CASE
The case that brought Ahok into the international spotlight
began in September 2016 when a video surfaced showing him quoting a verse from
the Quran, Al-MA’idah 5:51, during a speech to residents in the Thousand
Islands. In his speech, Ahok suggested that some people were using the verse to
deceive voters into thinking ‘That Muslims Should Not Be Led By A Non-Muslim’.
This remark sparked a massive controversy. Some Islamic
groups accused Ahok of BLASPHEMY,
claiming that he had insulted the QURAN. This led to widespread protests, including several large
demonstrations in Jakarta organized by Islamist groups, notably the Islamic
Defenders Front (FPI). The protests, which drew hundreds of thousands of
people, were some of the largest in Indonesia's recent history.
THE
TRIAL AND CONVICTION
Ahok was formally charged with blasphemy in November 2016.
His trial began shortly thereafter and was highly publicized, with extensive
media coverage and intense public interest in Indonesia, as well as in the educated world. Throughout the trial,
Ahok maintained that he had no intention of insulting Islam and that his
comments were taken out of context.
Despite his Défense, on May 9, 2017, Ahok Was Found Guilty Of Blasphemy And Sentenced
To Two Years In Prison. The verdict was seen as a victory by hardline
Islamist groups but was controversial both domestically and internationally. Many people argued that the
case was politically motivated and that it demonstrated the influence of
conservative Islamic groups in Indonesian politics. The conviction was also
seen as a setback for religious tolerance and pluralism in the country.
AFTERMATH AND RELEASE
Ahok's
conviction effectively ended his political career , and he withdrew from the
2017 Jakarta gubernatorial race, which he had been favoured to win. He
served almost two years in prison before being released in January 2019,
earning time off for good behaviour.
During and after his imprisonment, Ahok received significant
public support, and his
case remains a symbol of the challenges faced by religious and ethnic
minorities in Indonesia, or for that matter, in any Muslim Majority Country. After his release, Ahok initially maintained a low
profile but later returned to public life, taking up various roles, including a
position as a commissioner at the state-owned oil company PETRAMINA.
BROADER IMPLICATIONS
The Ahok case had significant implications for Indonesia, as well as countries with large Muslim population. It
highlighted the growing influence of conservative and hardline Islamist groups
in the country, which has the world's largest Muslim population, and also in the MUSLIM WORLD. The case also raised concerns
about the use of blasphemy laws, which many believe can be exploited for
political purposes. Additionally, it underscored the challenges of
maintaining religious and ethnic pluralism in Indonesia's democratic system.
Ahok's case is often cited as an example of how identity
politics can be used to influence elections and political outcomes in
Indonesia, and it continues to be a reference point in discussions about
democracy, religious freedom, and the rule of law in the country.
This is the impact of Muslims becoming the majority in any
country. Rational Muslims can't do
anything because the leadership is
always with Fundamentalist and Jihadi
Muslims. Hatred toward other religions can easily be justified on religious
grounds in ISLAM. THEY ARE
EVEN INDOCTRINATED TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS BETTER TO HAVE A CORRUPT MUSLIM LEADER
THAN A GOOD AND QUALIFIED NON-MUSLIM LEADER.
However, in countries where they are the minority, they will
always defend themselves by saying that the verses that seem hostile to people
of other faiths are not meant as they are written, because every verse is
connected to others. Yes, they will always say that Islam teaches peace, but
this changes once they become the majority.
In the subject case , “Ahok was reminding the people of
Jakarta not to fall for the slander of his political opponents who were
exploiting Quran’s Al-MA ‘Idah, Verse 51 to discourage people
from voting for him.” This kind of thing often happens in Indonesia, where
religion is mixed with politics. Ahok’s good intention of educating his people
not to be ignorant and easily swayed by religious dogma ended up landing him in
prison.
In conclusion, this happened because there are many verses
in the Quran that contain hatred toward non-Muslims, which people who claim to
be Muslim use as justification to attack other religions. This is why there are
many Muslim terrorists.
Now—I conclude with couple of statements:--
1.0 I have gone
through Quran's Al-MA ‘Idah, Verse
51 in details, to understand the case, but I don’t have any intention to QUOTE that in this
BLOG, and discuss on subject verse with the sole purpose of to avoid any
Islamist Controversy. You can read it in Quran. But—in my opinion, AHOK' s case
was blown much out of proportion. I refrain from commenting on the Ruling.
2.0 My subject is the study of cause and effect of conflict between Islam, and Other/Hindu religion.
3.0 A
country can remain SECULAR, as long as it is a “NON-MUSLIM” majority country, and then only can be ruled by neutral LAW, in an impartial manner.
4.0 We have seen what happened in Bangladesh, which started
as a “SECULAR MUSLIM DEMOCRATIC “ country. It is now no-where near that.
5.0 In INDIA, which is a HINDU majority country--we must not forget what happened to Smt. Nupur Sharma, due to pressure from local, and global Muslims.
Disclaimer:-- My BLOG is based on the references listed below, and to share it in
INDIA, an incident happened in Indonesia,
but has relevance in India, as India has large Muslim population. Reference of any religion, Holy Book, or Group of person is only for the purpose to remain truthful to narrate the incident.
References:- There are many references. I have read many, took
notes to write this BLOG, and listed below a few.
1.0 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39853280
2.0 https://www.voanews.com/a/ahok-case-highlights-indonesia-s-dangerously-ambiguous-blasphemy-law/4760596.html
3.0 https://globalfreedomofexpression.columbia.edu/cases/public-prosecutor-v-basuki-tjahaja-purnama-aka-ahok/
4.0 https://asialink.unimelb.edu.au/insights/the-ahok-show-trial-and-indonesias-politicisation-of-religion
Image:-- GOOGLE/ WHOEVER IS OWNER OF THE PHOTO IS CREDITED.
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