Sharia dictates that a non-Muslim cannot hold authority over Muslims. So this is simply more evidence of Sharia creep in modern, moderate Indonesia. “Indonesia: Christian party criticises Muslim edict,” from AKI, January 27 (thanks to Twostellas):
Jakarta, 27 Jan. (AKI) – A Christian political leader has criticised a religious edict or fatwa issued by Indonesia’s top Islamic body stating that only a Muslim could become president of the country. Sonny Wuisan, leader of the Christian Democratic Party (PKD) told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the edict from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) was unconstitutional and should be withdrawn.
“This fatwa is against the constitution and the MUI should limit itself to discussing religion,” Sonny Wuisan, secretary of the PKD told AKI.
The PKD is a very small Indonesian political party that in particular attracts Indonesians who are ethnic Chinese.
The Indonesian Ulema Council issued several fatwas or edicts including a ban on practising yoga, smoking and voting abstention during its conference in the West Sumatran town of Padangpanjang at the weekend.
The council said that Muslims should vote at forthcoming presidential elections in July if the candidates have certain characteristics such as “being Muslim”.
On the other hand some 700 clerics from the council agreed on Sunday that Muslims were forbidden to abstain from voting in elections if “qualified” candidates existed.
“Islam obliges Muslims to elect their leaders if the latter meet certain criteria,” Gusrizal Gazahar, MUI West Sumatra head, said after the meeting.
Wuisan stressed that all religions had a right to participate in the political process.
“This country has a Muslim majority, but it doesn’t mean that other religions do not count,” said Wuisan….
They just don’t count as much.
The fatwas have no legal power but devout Muslims adhere to the rulings because ignoring a fatwa is considered a sin.