Sadly, it seems that our nearest neighbour is forsaking religious tolerance and pluralism and embracing militant Islam in its political leadership. Indonesia is a country of about 260 million people who are predominantly Muslim and who until recently have practised a moderate form of Islam.
Their president was the governor of Jakarta when he won the presidency. Joko " Jokowi " Widodo passed that governorship to his deputy, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama who is known as Ahok, and who is a Christian.
Trouble started when Ahok decided to run for election to retain that governorship and his rivals used verse 51 of the fifth chapter of the Koran to suggest that Muslims could not vote for him because that forbids Muslims to live under the leadership of non-Muslims. As well as being a Christian Ahok is ethnic Chinese.
When Ahok countered by suggesting that Muslims were " deceived " by this reference, militant rivals rushed into the streets with claims that this was blasphemy. Blasphemy laws introduced in 1965 in the early days of Indonesian independence are still active and Ahok was arrested and put before a court. He was convicted and sentenced to a two years prison sentence.
There have been calls for these blasphemy laws to be withdrawn because the number of people being charged has increased sharply. It is likely that at the next presidential election militants will use this law to insist that a Muslim is elected and most likely demand that the contenders have a suitable adherence to militant Islam.
There has long been a residue of Islamic extremity active in this vast archipelago and it contributed fighters to Islamic State in its war in Syria and Iraq. This underground insurgency was responsible for the bombings in Bali and Jakarta and with the defeat of IS those fighters are likely to return and add impetus to the local movement.
What is disturbing is the rejection of an appeal by Ahok to the Indonesian Supreme Court for a review of his sentence. There was an expectation that a more moderate view would prevail and Ahok would be released. Instead, his appeal was rejected and he will serve the remainder of his sentence.
It seems evident that opposition forces in Indonesia will embrace militant Islam as the key to winning office. Religion is a powerful force with which even moderates are easily coerced into voting along what they consider to be essential religious lines when their faith is being questioned.
Religious fervour and militancy are not a welcome outcome in this peaceful part of the Pacific ocean.
No comments:
Post a Comment