Basuki Cahaya Purnama, formerly the Deputy Governor of Jakarta and now Governor.
(Photo credit Wikipedia Commons)
Indonesia (MNN) — The recently-inaugurated Chinese Christian governor of Indonesia’s capital city, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, is finding new allies in Jakarta’s influential Muslim leaders.
Mr. Purnama, who goes by “Ahok,” reflects an “acceptance of diversity” agenda being put forth by the newly-elected President and former gubernatorial running mate, Joko Widodo.
“He’s referred to as a double-minority because he’s ethnic Chinese, which is a minority in Indonesia, and he’s also Christian,” notes a ministry friend with work in Indonesia (who has asked not to be named).
“Given the fact that Indonesia has a very large Muslim population, there are some leaders that have been very vocal [about], ‘This is not the kind of leader that we need for Jakarta.'”
Ahok met a great deal of opposition from Islamic hard-liners when he was announced as the city’s leader last month. Earlier this month, a spokesman for one fundamentalist group claimed, “We reject Ahok’s leadership. He does not represent Jakarta’s residents.
“We will elect a new governor who cares about Islam and its citizens, not Ahok.”
Leaders of large Muslim groups in Jakarta are now slamming the hard-liners’ efforts to stir up public unrest against the governor.
“The majority of Jakartans and Indonesians are accepting of the values of democracy,” says one Islamic leader.
“We want to continue to promote pluralism and to limit any violent actions like this. [The Islamic Defenders Front], so far, is only spreading hatred among religious followers and races.”
Christians in Jakarta are surrounding Ahok in prayer. Will you join them?
(Photo credit 8thirty8 Facebook page)
Pray for continued public support of Ahok. Ask the Lord to thwart attempts by Muslim hard-liners to remove him from a position of influence. Pray for strength and discernment for Ahok so he can continue representing Christ to unbelievers in Jakarta.
“There is a great hope that with the new president, and this new governor, there will be increased dialogue and respect for Christians,” notes the fore-mentioned believer.
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.[b]
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 Lord, give victory to the king!
Answer us when we call!
IN THE NAME OF JESUS WE PRAY…….AMEN
Father, we ask that the angels of the Lord will encamp around them (e.g. Ahok) to deliver them…Ps. 34:7). We agree on confusion on dissension in the ranks of the Islamic hardliners, and that “no weapon that is formed against Ahok will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you..” (Isaiah 54:17 -18). Protect Gen. Ahok, and use him powerfully for your glory, and greater freedom for the gospel, in Jesus’ Name.
He is a good man for the Indonesian people.
A Muslim is made the Mayor of London, and we praise the Heavens for the tolerance and acceptance shown to our people. Why on Earth can’t we show the same courtesy?!
He is the best governor we ever had. He fixed Jakarta a lot more than his successors. Please..please pray for him.