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COMMENTARY: Contemplating a sharia-influenced capital
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Anies, a former culture and education minister, is known as a moderate Muslim intellectual and has denied accusations that he is sowing the seeds of conservative Islam in Jakarta, or allowing a culture of intolerance to build up against non-Muslims. (Antara/M Agung Rajasa)
J
akarta’s 12 million residents and commuters are beginning to consider the possibility of a more Islamic-influenced atmosphere in the capital if Anies Baswedan wins the gubernatorial election on April 19.
Some are hoping for a sharia-nuanced Jakarta, like Aceh’s capital Banda Aceh, the West Java town of Tasikmalaya or Tangerang on the outskirts of Jakarta, and some are not.
These contemplations have amplified after Aniejs was left as the only rival to incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama following last month’s first-round election. A recent exit poll by Indikator Politik finds that nearly 52.5 percent of voters favor Anies for the run-off election, versus 44 percent for Ahok.
Anies, a former culture and education minister, is known as a moderate Muslim intellectual and has denied accusations that he is sowing the seeds of conservative Islam in Jakarta, or allowing a culture of intolerance to build up against non-Muslims.
However, such expectations of a more sharia-nuanced city have come from his running mate, businessman Sandiaga Uno. Sandiaga said in January that he envisioned a sharia-inspired nightlife entertainment network in Jakarta. The American-educated Sandiaga sees current entertainment centers as places prone to drug and alcohol abuse and prostitution.
He said the nightlife entertainment programs, which he claimed would be modeled on the kind of night-life available in Dubai, would feature traditional dances, shalawat (salutation to Prophet Muhammad), religious studies and traditional music.
From a certain perspective, this could be a good thing. With such programs, vigilantes will not have as many opportunities to raid nightlife establishments and the firebrand Islam Defenders Front (FPI) could build up a better reputation by restraining it impulse to violence.
