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Ahok trial: Muslims protesting against Governor misled by conservatives, key Islamic organisation says
ABC Radio Australia - April 4, 2017
The comments from one of the senior figures in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) come as Governor "Ahok" Basuki is due to give evidence for the first time today in his blasphemy trial.
The trial has split Indonesian Muslims and seen huge crowds protesting against the Governor on the streets of Jakarta.
NU supreme council secretary-general Yahya Cholil Staquf said a crucial verse in the Koran – which states that Muslims and non-Muslims should not be allies – is being deliberately misinterpreted by Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) hard-line leader Rizieq Shihab and others.
"I don't want to see him convicted because it's just not right," Mr Yahya told the ABC.
"It's all manipulation. To my belief there is no blasphemy done by Ahok at all. What I believe is that Ahok is not guilty, and the case that he is charged with, it has all been a manipulative thing going on for the purpose of the election."
NU is the biggest Muslim organisation in Indonesia, with about 50 million supporters. Mr Yahya said "orthodox Islam" teaching focused on out-of-date interpretations of the Koran.
"There are some very important elements in the teaching that really need to be contextualised to fit with modern times," he said.
Election and blasphemy trial running parallel
The final round of the election for Jakarta's governor is in three weeks' time. Ahok is in a close race with Anies Baswedan, who is supported by conservative Muslim groups, including the FPI.
The election campaign is running parallel to the Governor's blasphemy trial. Ahok is the final witness in the case and is due to give evidence today.
Mr Yahya said those leading the charge against Ahok were part of a growing conservative movement in Indonesia. He said the conservatives were unhappy that the Indonesian constitution gave all citizens equal rights regardless of their religion.
"This is not a new challenge to us, we've been dealing with this kind of challenge over and over in our history," he said.
"We've been winning, I would say, but this challenge against our religious view is getting more and more stronger. The challenge from the conservative view of Islam against our position here is getting stronger."
He said the conservative version of Islam was being pushed by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Indonesian police have also released more details about the five people connected with the protest movement who are being investigated for alleged treason. Police said they were plotting to occupy the Indonesian Parliament and were planning an illegal rally on election day.
Police spokesman Argo Yuwono said the organisers wanted to crash a truck into the back gates of Parliament and enter the complex through a manhole.
They said they also want to question the son of former Indonesian president Suharto, Tommy Suharto, about his links to the anti-Ahok protests.
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