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Aceh council postpones Quran reading test for presidential candidates
A group of Muslim clerics in Aceh that challenged presidential candidates Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Prabowo Subianto to a Quran reading test has postponed the test, citing the candidates' tight campaign schedules.
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President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (center) and Prabowo Subianto (second right) opposition candidate release pigeons during a "peaceful campaign" event on Sunday at the National Monument in Jakarta. The respective running mates of the rival candidates, Ma’ruf Amin (second left) and Sandiaga Uno (right), also attended the event. (The Jakarta Post/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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he Aceh Clerics Council, which groups Muslim clerics in Aceh, said that it has postponed indefinitely the Quran reading test it proposed for presidential candidates Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Prabowo Subianto, due to scheduling conflicts.
“There will be no [test] on Jan. 15. We are waiting for the latest schedule [of the two candidates]," Aceh Clerics Council chairman Marsyuddin Ishaq said on Sunday, as quoted by kompas.com. "Tomorrow [Monday], we will meet with both campaign teams to discuss the matter,” he added.
The council had challenged the two presidential candidates to undergo a Quran reading test to determine the best leader for the country, which has a majority Muslim population. The test was initially scheduled to be held on Jan. 15 at the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh.
The Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin campaign team said earlier that the incumbent was willing to take the test if the public demanded it. On the other hand, the campaign team for the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno pair, which is backed by Islamic-leaning parties the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the National Mandate Party (PAN), said that such a test was unnecessary, or that if it did take place, the test's organizers should prove that they were experts in reading the Quran.
Marsyuddin also said on Monday that the council planned to coordinate with the Aceh Independent Election Commissions (KIP Aceh) on the test format that would be acceptable to both candidates. (kuk/ipa)
