Jakarta will be a religious city, Indonesians told at prayer rally

[rug]

(File) Muslims attend Friday prayers during a protest against Jakarta's minority Christian Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama who is being prosecuted for blasphemy, at the National Monument in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Dec 2, 2016. Source: AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim

By Asian Correspondent Staff | 11th February 2017

RELIGIOUS leaders in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on Saturday urged the thousands of people gathered at the highly-anticipated mass prayer session to back a Muslim candidate during next week’s contentious gubernatorial polls.

One speaker, Maulana Kamal Yusof, told the crowd of men and women in white robes at the vast Istiqlal mosque that Jakarta “will be” led by a Muslim leader who submits to the will of Allah.

“On Feb 15, we are happy to vote for a Muslim leader. Jakarta will be a religious city,” he said.

The call to action comes amid teeming tensions in Indonesia, as Jakarta’s incumbent governor, the Christian and ethnic Chinese Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaha Purnama, continues to stand his ground on seeking re-election, despite his blasphemy charges.

https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/02/jakarta-will-religious-city-indonesians-told-prayer-rally/

[Jim__]

1. Ahok was not previously elected governor, he assumed office.

From wikipedia:

When Joko Widodo took a temporary leave from his post as Jakarta governor to run for President, Basuki became the acting Governor of Jakarta from 1 June 2014. [21] Following Jokowi's victory, he succeeded him as governor and was sworn into office on 18 November 2014.[2]

I was wondering how he had gotten elected in a 90% Muslim country.

[rug]

2. I wonder why he was picked as the running mate.

[Jim__]

3. I dont know.

But that wikipedia article says that the mainstream Islamic organizations supported him:

A member of a minority ethnic group, Basuki has become the subject of occasional racist comments. During the 2012 gubernatorial campaign, he was targeted regularly by ultra-conservatives and supporters of rival candidates for being a non-Muslim. Furthermore, Basuki's "double minority" background makes him a target of the hardliner Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). The group called for the revision of the Jakarta constitution to remove some of the governor's responsibilities for government-affiliated Islamic organizations.[10]

Numerous hardliner groups staged several violent protests opposing him in the weeks leading to his inauguration, mentioning his background as a reason.[22] In contrast, most mainstream Muslim organizations and communities throws support behind Basuki.[23]

That surprises me. But, I doubt they’ll support him with the blasphemy charge hanging over him.