UCA News
Contribute

'Muslims cannot vote for non-Muslims' in Indonesia

Senior politicians and conservative Islamic groups issue decree from Jakarta mosque
'Muslims cannot vote for non-Muslims' in Indonesia
Published: September 23, 2016 07:21 AM GMT
Updated: September 23, 2016 07:22 AM GMT

Muslims are not allowed to vote for non-Muslims in upcoming elections said a decree issued by a group of senior politicians and conservative Islamic groups who met at a mosque in Jakarta on Sept. 18.

The decree forbidding Muslims voting for a 'non-believer' was made ahead of next year's guber­natorial (governor) elections and is being seen as a way to counter the re-election hopes of current governor of Jakarta, Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is a Christian, and ethnic Chinese Indonesian.

Political analyst and pollster Djayadi Hanan, told The Australian that Indonesia is currently fertile ground for identity politics.

"Ahok is a double minority — he is ethnically Chinese and he is a non-Muslim, and people can be rallied around those issues," Hanan said.

"According to our surveys, around 45 percent of Jakarta's Muslims agree Muslims should not be led by non-Muslims," he said.

More than 80 percent of Jakarta's voters are Muslims, said the report which added that the decree was spurned by Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia