Iranian Ulema in Australia Wants to Defend Ahok in His Blasphemy Trial

Heru Andriyanto & Eko Prasetyo
February 23, 2017 | 10:44 am
SHARE
Jakarta Governor Ahok at his blasphemy trial in January. (Antara Photo/Dharma Wijayanto)
Jakarta Governor Ahok at his blasphemy trial in January. (Antara Photo/Dharma Wijayanto)

Jakarta. An Iranian ulema who lives in Australia has caused a storm on Indonesian social media with his staunch defense of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, currently standing trial on blasphemy charges.

In a series of tweets, Shaikh M. Tawhidi, challenged Ahok’s detractors, including hardline Islamic Defenders Front, or FPI, to a debate on the interpretation of Al Maidah 51, a verse from the Koran quoted by Ahok in his now infamous speech that triggered the blasphemy allegations.

Tahwidi called on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to allow him to testify in court in Ahok’s defense. Tahwidi, who calls himself an "Imam of Peace," claims he knows Ahok in person and believes that the governor is a man of God.

The governor is now back in his job while waiting for the second round of the Jakarta gubernatorial election on April 19, where he will face former education minister Anies Baswedan.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

The Latest


News 17 hours ago

Canada Wants to Help Indonesia Use Nuclear Power

Canada, which is already using nuclear energy to generate 15 percent of its electricity, is open to providing its expertise for Indonesia.
Special Updates 19 hours ago

2025 ASG Expo: Property Exhibition Showcases Beauty of Indonesian Textiles

Property giant Agung Sedayu Group (ASG) is hosting the 2025 ASG Expo at the Signature Gallery CBD PIK 2 on Feb. 14-23.
Business 22 hours ago

Government Spending Cuts Cost Bandung Hotels Rp 12.8 Billion

Bandung hotels face Rp12.8 billion in losses as government budget cuts reduce official events.
News 23 hours ago

Nader Thaher, Convict in Rp 35 Billion Graft Scandal, Arrested After 19 Years on the Run

Now 69 years old, Nader changed his identity and obtained a new ID card in an effort to avoid capture.
News 23 hours ago

PSSI Completes First Phase of FIFA-Funded Training Center in Nusantara

The first phase of PSSI's training center in Nusantara has been completed.
COPYRIGHT © 2025 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED