Despite Opposition, Indonesian Christian Makes Political History

Indonesian Christian Makes Political History
ICC Note:
Despite opposition from Muslim groups, Basuki Purnam—a Christian from an ethnic Chinese background—was elected the vice governor of Jakarta, Indonesia. Purnam is the first Christian elected to such a high post in the world’s largest Muslim country.
“Muslims tried to prevent him from being sworn into office, saying non-Muslims should not be allowed to hold key positions in the government. But the ceremony took place despite their opposition,” CBN reports.
10/18/2012 Indonesia (CBN News)- A Christian politician has made history in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation.
CBN News first told you about Basuki Purnam’s bid for vice governor of Jakarta in September.
Despite considerable opposition from Muslim groups, Basuki, who comes from an ethnic Chinese background, won the election, becoming the first Christian elected to such a high post.
Muslims also tried to prevent him from being sworn into office, saying non-Muslims should not be allowed to hold key positions in the government. But the ceremony took place despite their opposition.
Basuki’s belief that Indonesian voters would reject ethnic and religious slurs against him proved correct.
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