Muslims urged to restrain from rallying against Ahok's latest statements

Jakarta, NU Online
Amid growing tension over statements from Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama against a renowned Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) ulema, the council has urged the public to remain calm and refrain from staging protests, The Jakarta Post reported.

The governor made the allegedly belittling comments during his blasphemy trial.

"The MUI is obliged to convey to all Indonesian Muslims to remain calm and not be caught up in provocation. It is our shared duty to maintain peace and harmony," MUI deputy chairman Zainut Tauhid Saadi said on the sidelines of a press briefing at his office on Thursday.

Zainut also urged people to trust law enforcement institutions to scrutinize any possible wrongdoings.

Ma'ruf did not attend the press briefing on Thursday.

Ahok, who is seeking reelection in the Jakarta gubernatorial race, has been in the spotlight following his remarks accusing MUI chairman Ma’ruf Amin of bias in issuing an edict on the allegations against him.

Ma’ruf is also an elder from the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Ahok apologized in a written statement on Wednesday afternoon, saying he did not mean to discredit the cleric.

Last year, two large-scale rallies were staged to demand the prosecution of Ahok for blasphemy.

A number of state officials, including Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, visited Ma'ruf’s residence on Wednesday evening in what many believe was an attempt to reduce tensions. (Masdar)