Malang, NU Online
Thousands of students from dozens of Islamic boarding schools and universities throughout Malang, East Java, have staged a rally against a Christian legislative candidate for using the word Bismillahirrahmanirrahim in his campaign banner.<>

The candidate was identified as Pieter C. Zulkifli from the Democratic Party. As far as the protesters were concerned, Pieter had exploited what is a sacred word among Muslims for political ends and they demanded that the Democratic Party immediately withdraw his candidacy.  

“Pieter must apologize to Muslim communities, particularly those in Malang, because he has clearly undermined Islam,” said rally coordinator Muhlis as quoted by kompas.com.

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim translates as “In the name of God, the compassionate, the merciful". 

Pieter currently heads House of Representatives Commission III on legal affairs and laws. He was appointed chairman, replacing Ruhut Sitompul, who had been rejected by almost all the commission members due to what they deemed his lack of leadership and competence.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq