ICC Note:
Nearly 150 lawyers have spoken in favor of a blasphemy against a key critic of Jakarta’s Christian Governor, popularly known as Ahok. The Muslim cleric, named Habib Rizieq Syihab gave a speech on Christmas day mocking Jesus and offending Christians. Rizieq is the leader of the Islamic Defender’s Front (FPI), the organization responsible for organizing protests in Jakarta demanding the resignation and imprisonment of Ahok. The FPI accused Ahok of blasphemy against the Quran and told Muslims that they should not be governed by a non-Muslim. The FPI maintains strong ties to the political opponent of Ahok. Some feel the case against Ahok is evidence of increasing intolerance among non-Muslims. Very few have ever been acquitted of charges of blasphemy and it is expected that Ahok will be sentenced to 5 years in prison. It will be interesting to see if the case against a Muslim cleric is treated with the same severity as the case against Ahok.
1/4/2017 Indonesia (UCA News) – Almost 150 lawyers have lent their support to a blasphemy case brought by the Indonesian Catholic Student’s Association against a prominent Muslim hardliner.
The case comes amid another blasphemy controversy involving Jakarta’s Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as Ahok. He is standing trial for allegedly insulting the Quran
Angelo Wake Kako, chairman of the association, told ucanews.com on Jan 3 that the lawyers were not only Catholics but came from other religions as well. “They offered to help us in facing this case,” Kako said.
On Dec 26, the Catholic students reported Muslim cleric Habib Rizieq Syihab to the police for allegedly committing blasphemy in a speech circulated on the internet.
In the 22-second long video, Rizieq is recorded saying, “If God gave birth, then who would be the midwife?”
The statement, which the student’s association took as mocking the birth of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, was delivered during a sermon in West Jakarta on Dec 25 and was followed by laughter from the audience.
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