Indra Budiari, Jakarta – Jakarta gubernatorial candidate pair Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno participated in a mass prayer and Quran recitation attended by thousands of Muslims at Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque in Central Jakarta on Thursday evening, one day before they participate in the final candidate debate.
At the event, also attended by Muslim leaders including Ustadz Bachtiar Nasir and Habib Ali Assegaf, Anies delivered a speech saying that Moslem communities in Indonesia had set a good example as the most organized and peaceful Muslims in the world.
Mentioning two large rallies on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 held to protest Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's alleged blasphemy, Anies deplored the fact that the National Monument compound in Central Jakarta was no longer available for religious activities.
He also asked Muslims to pray for him and his running mate, Sandiaga, so they could stay calm and deliver good answers during the candidate debate scheduled for Friday evening. "Please pray for me so I can have a clear mind and answer [all debate questions] easily," he said.
The third debate will be the last showdown for the Jakarta gubernatorial candidates to win the support of swing voters in the tight race, for which pollsters are still finding difficulties predicting the winner. Held two days before the official campaign period ends, the debate will address population and quality-of-life issues. (ebf)