Franklin Graham calls on Christians to pray for Jakarta governor
Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, asked Christians to pray for Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama who is currently on trial in Indonesia for blasphemy.
"We need to pray for the Christian governor of Jakarta, Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama, who is on trial for what Muslims are calling blasphemy, which is ridiculous. He's the first non-Muslim governor of the Indonesian capital in more than half a century. They're coming after him because he's a Christian," Graham wrote on Facebook.
Purnama, who is seeking reelection in the upcoming Feb. 15 poll, came under scrutiny in September when he told residents of Thousand Islands that Al-Maidah, verse 51 of the Quran, is being misused by politicians to tell Muslim voters not to support non-Muslims.
He has repeatedly apologized for his comments, but the outrage over the incident led to two massive rallies on the streets of Jakarta.
"Hard line Muslim groups have organized protests against him and some have even called for him to be lynched. This is the kind of persecution that is going on around the world in countries that are controlled by Islam. Pray for this man and his family," Graham continued.
The governor tearfully denied insulting Islam when he testified at his trial on Tuesday. He pointed out that he was raised by his adoptive family which is composed of Muslims, and he had provided many facilities and assistance to his Muslim constituents.
Purnama is currently on leave as the governor as he campaigns for reelection. Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo announced on Friday that he will be temporarily suspended when his leave is over. The Christian governor may be sentenced to five years' imprisonment if found guilty.
Meanwhile, Buni Yani, the professor who shared the video of the governor's remarks, has been named by the Jakarta Police as a suspect for inciting religious and ethnic hatred. The professor insisted on his innocence and said that he only intended the post to be shared by his inner circle of friends.
Purnama, however, stated that the post caused harm to him and the residents of Jakarta. During the police questioning, the governor asserted that the two mass protests held on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 were triggered by Buni's post.