Muslim groups welcome police decision to pursue blasphemy case against Jakarta governor

Record ID: 78598

  • Title: Muslim groups welcome police decision to pursue blasphemy case against Jakarta governor
  • Date: 16th November 2016
  • Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (NOVEMBER 16, 2016) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** EXTERIOR OF THE OFFICE OF MUHAMMADIYAH, THE SECOND LARGEST MUSLIM ORGANIZATION IN INDONESIA MUSLIM GROUPS' LEADERS SITTING IN JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) LEADER OF MUSLIM GROUP AL WASHLIYAH, YUSNAR YUSUF SAYING: "Muslim groups and people will continue to make sure this legal process is not deviated because blasphemy could be a potentially serious case that threatens to disintegrate of our nation." PHOTOGRAPHER TAKING PHOTO (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) LEADER OF MUSLIM GROUP AL WASHLIYAH, YUSNAR YUSUF SAYING: "We call on the nation, Islamic religion leaders especially, to stay calm and exercise self-restraint, do not be easily provoked by people who stir trouble trying to create conflict between religions, or encourage the people to act against the government." MEDIA VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
  • Embargoed: 1st December 2016 09:17
  • Keywords: Indonesia Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama blasphemy Islam Muslim
  • Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
  • City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA00158P0QPX
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Indonesian Muslim groups welcomed the decision to pursue a blasphemy case against Christian Jakarta governor on Wednesday (November 16), saying that the 'potentially serious' case could distort harmony in the nation.
    The comments came after police officially named governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama a suspect in a blasphemy complaint filed by Muslim groups amid simmering religious and ethnic tension in the world's largest Muslim-majority country.
    "Muslim groups and people will continue to make sure this legal process is not deviated because blasphemy could be a potentially serious case that threatens to disintegrate of our nation," said Yusnar Yusuf, the leader of Muslim group Al Washliyah, during a joint news conference with several other Islamic groups' leaders.
    "We call on the nation, Islamic religion leaders especially, to stay calm and exercise self-restraint, do not be easily provoked by people who stir trouble trying to create conflict between religions, or encourage the people to act against the government," he added.
    Some analysts said the decision to pursue the case was a blow to democracy.
    But dropping the case could have sparked further protests led by hardline Muslims against Purnama and also against President Joko Widodo, who is seen as a key backer of the ethnic Chinese governor.
    Purnama, who was barred from leaving the country, faces up to five years in prison if the case goes to court and he is found guilty.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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