Tag: Jakarta

Indonesian Christian ex-governor Ahok released

January 25, 2019 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Jakarta

Jakarta’s former governor, known widely and simply as “Ahok”, walked out of prison today, 24 January, after serving nearly two years for blasphemy. He was granted early release, four months ahead of schedule, for good behavior. Outside prison in West-Java he was greeted by his eldest son and Nicholas and . . . Read More

Indonesian Christian governor Ahok set for early release from prison

December 11, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Jakarta, Minorities

Jakarta’s former governor, known as “Ahok”, who was sentenced last year to two years in jail for blasphemy against Islam, is to be released from prison next month, four months ahead of schedule. The ethnic Chinese Christian, whose real name is Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, was due to be released in . . . Read More

Indonesia: Christian politician accused of blasphemy for opposing Sharia-based bylaws

November 22, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Jakarta, Quran, Sharia, Tangerang

A young Christian politician has been accused of blasphemy in Indonesia after criticising Sharia-based bylaws, Catholic news agency UCAN reports. Grace Natalie, 36, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI), was reported to police by a conservative Muslim organisation after delivering her speech at her party’s gathering in Tangerang, near . . . Read More

Indonesia: Ahok refuses parole, as he hopes for early release

July 16, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Jakarta

Jakarta’s former governor 'Ahok' is scheduled to be released from prison on 24 January. (Photo: Open Doors International)

The Christian former governor of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, known as “Ahok”, has refused parole in the light of a possibly early release for good behaviour in August, AsiaNews reports. Ahok’s sister, Fifi Lety Indra, wrote on social media that he “has decided against parole and will wait until he . . . Read More

Indonesia: How women and children became agents of terror

June 7, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Children, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, JAD, Jakarta, Muhammadiyah, Surabaya, Women

Women pray in Blue Mosque in Indonesia's capital Jakarta. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Terrorism in Indonesia is now carried out by “entire families, including mothers and children”, one local police chief noted, three weeks on from the suicide blasts on three churches and a police station that claimed 27 lives, including 13 attackers. In raids following the series of bomb attacks, Jakarta security . . . Read More

‘Indonesia’s most important extremist ideologue’ faces death over church bombing

May 2, 2018 Indonesia Aceh, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, JAD, Jakarta, Kalimantan, Samarinda, Terrorism, Trauma

Radical Islamic cleric Aman Abdurrahman tells the court that what happened in Samarinda "violates what I believe about how to behave towards Christians”. (Photo: Hayati Nupus/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A Muslim cleric alleged to have inspired an attack on a church playground in Indonesia, in which one child was killed and three injured, has denied inciting hatred. Aman Abdurrahman, 46, is facing a possible life sentence or even the death penalty for allegedly masterminding a series of bombings, including . . . Read More

Persecuted Christians celebrate Easter with mixed emotions

April 3, 2018 Global News -- No Particular Country Aleppo, Bashar Warda, Catholics, Easter, Erbil, Gaza, Hanoi, Hmong, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Islamic State, Israel, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Ludhiana, Maluku, Marawi, Middle East, Mindanao, Minorities, Philippines, Pope Francis, Prince Charles, Southeast Asia, Syria, Vietnam

Flag of Syria is waving as sign of victory over the destroyed heavily damaged city of Aleppo. (Photo: World Watch Monitor)

Easter this year was a time of mixed emotions for the Christians who live under pressure for their faith. While political and religious leaders called for peace, reconciliation and brotherhood, Christians in countries like Syria and the Philippines continued to face violence and its consequences. Below, World Watch Monitor gives . . . Read More

Ahok to stay in jail, Indonesian Supreme Court rules

March 28, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Islamic extremism, Jakarta, Quran

Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the Christian former governor of Jakarta to review his conviction for insulting Islam, reports Reuters. The ruling means Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, will serve out his two-year prison sentence for suggesting a passage from the Quran had been misinterpreted . . . Read More

Ahok ‘victim of cyber jihad against Indonesian government’

March 13, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Islamic extremism, Jakarta, Nahdlatul Ulama, Southeast Asia

Jakarta's governor arrives in court for his verdict and sentence in his blasphemy trial. Photo: Getty Images

The Christian former governor of Jakarta who was jailed for blasphemy may have been a victim of a sophisticated anti-government campaign of “fake news” and malicious bots. Indonesian police believe they have uncovered a clandestine “fake news” operation designed to destabilise the government and corrupt the political process, the UK’s . . . Read More

Indonesia: Ahok’s appeal ‘last chance’ to clear name

February 26, 2018 Indonesia Ahok, Blasphemy, Indonesia, Jakarta, Java

appeal hearing is taking place on Monday (26 February). (Photo: Agoes Rudianto /Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

A first appeal hearing in the blasphemy case of the Christian former governor of Jakarta was held today (26 February) in what could prove his only chance to challenge the verdict. Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as “Ahok”, has asked the Supreme Court for a review of the two-year prison . . . Read More

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