REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Acting Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, alias Ahok, has urged the Front for the Defense of Islam (FPI) to desist from humiliating Indonesian Muslims, who are known to be tolerant.
"Do not humiliate Indonesian Muslims, who are known for being tolerant. I was elected head of East Belitung District with a Muslim population of 93 percent," Ahok stated before the leaders and members of the Jakarta Chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) here on Wednesday (12/11)
The FPI has rejected my appointment as Jakarta governor, and this act has the potential to tarnish the image of Islam in Indonesia, which has been known for being moderate, Ahok stated, adding that therefore, he was not ready to negotiate with the FPI.
According to him, the application of Islamic teachings in Indonesia is the truest one, since in some Middle Eastern countries, Muslims hurt each others.
He also alleged that the FPI was politically motivated and tried to incite a conflict between the Muslims and Ahok.
"I see that it has been directed to become a conflict between Ahok and the Muslims, as if Ahok was hostile against Islam," the acting governor remarked.
He asked the Jakarta MUI to provide him data on small mosques as he intended to expand them and build parks to make the mosques attractive.
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