( published by The Jakarta Post on 3 Aug 2015. Click here ) I was overcome with delight to see Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama defend religious minorities while other leaders choose to keep silent. It is not because he is a Christian that he defended the Indonesian Protestant Christian Church (GKPI) in Jatinegara, East Jakarta, from demolition recently; he has also defended other faiths, including protecting a congregation of Ahmadiyah Muslims in Tebet, Jakarta, from eviction. Ahok noted that dozens of mosques had also been built in violation of zoning regulations, but there was no effort made to tear them down. I am convinced he is not intolerant of Islam, but as governor he has to uphold justice. Justice means treating all citizens and all communities equally, regardless of whether they are in the majority or the minority. Moreover, when dealing with faith, leaders should be very clear that all citizens should be allowed to worship according to their fait...
Life is beautiful, and also..., simple.