Din Syamsudin: November 4 Rally is not an Intolerance Act

Jakarta, 2 Safar 1438/ November 2 2016 (MINA) – Former Chief General of Muhammadiyah Din Syamsudin stated that he is not worried of potential clashes on the following 4 November demonstration regarding the blasphemy of Jakarta governor candidate Basuki Tjahaja Purnama aka Ahok.

Syamsudin believes that this rally is not about presenting an intolerance act by moslems in indonesia as the majority towards the minority.

“It feels like an accusation, as if the public will hold an anti harmony demonstration,” he told Miraj Islamic News Agency (MINA) on the sidelines of World Peace Forum meeting held in Jakarta, Wednesday ( 2/11).

Syamsudin asserts that even though Ahok has apologized, the process of the law must be handed over to the state, in this case the police. “If someone commits corruption and then the person says i commit corruption and therefore I apologize to the people of Indonesia, can such a thing be accepted?”

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Syamsudin said that he has heard from the police that this case has been processed but it is not yet publicised fully. “The state must be consequent and consistent in processing this matter.”

Syamsuddin also regrets parties who create tension in this matter, when in fact, he believes that this issue could be simplified. He realized that it is not a simple matter since it is highly related to the upcoming governor election.

“we must not let the co existence of this nation be ruined because of one person. This rally is not an anti religion act.”

Ahok has come under the spotlight because he is seen conduct a blasphemy on Islam during his speech in one of the Seribu Isands in September. On that event, Ahok asked the public not to be fooled by people who use Al-Quran in al Maidah verse 51 to attack him.

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According to Syamsudin, this statement is a clear blasphemy because no matter what kind of interpretation is used by Ahok, he has interpreted the quran solely based on his opinion. Syamsudin believes that Ahok has also degraded his own religion in some of his speeches which could be found on the internet.

Syamsudin hopes the public to stay harmonious and not to interpret this coming Friday act as a tirant act by the majority to the minority.(L/R04/NMT)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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