Thousands of white-clad Muslims streamed towards a central Jakarta park on Friday, gathering for a rally expected to draw more than 100,000 Indonesians demanding the arrest of the capital’s governor, a Christian accused of insulting the Koran.
National news agency Antara said 22,000 police personnel would be deployed to avoid a repeat of the violence that flared at the end of a protest led by hardline Islamists last month when more than 100 people were injured in clashes with police.
Muslim groups accuse Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – nicknamed “Ahok” – of insulting the Koran, though they have pledged that Friday’s demonstration will be peaceful.
Protesters began moving from the hulking Istiqlal mosque towards the National Monument in the centre of the city at around 5am, after morning prayers.
Participants of Jakarta’s “super peaceful rally” taking their ablution from a fire engine before performing prayers pic.twitter.com/bfsZxaW4uE
— Saifulbahri Ismail (@saifulCNA) December 1, 2016
“We are expecting more than 100,000 participants,” Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said late on Thursday. “There is enough security so the public need not worry. We hope everything will proceed according to the agreement with the protesters.”
The friendly faces of police with roses in hand at Jakarta’s “super peaceful rally” greeting the participants pic.twitter.com/hMebXgfi5p
— Saifulbahri Ismail (@saifulCNA) December 1, 2016
Indonesia has the world’s biggest Muslim population but recognises six religions and is home to dozens of ethnic groups, some of which follow traditional beliefs.
Purnama, an ethnic Chinese Christian, is being investigated over comments he made about his opponents’ use of the Koran in political campaigning. He denies wrongdoing but has apologised for the remarks.
Police on Thursday handed over their investigation dossier to prosecutors, who are expected to take the case of alleged blasphemy to court in coming weeks.
Simmering religious and ethnic tension last month prompted President Joko Widodo to rally top military, political, and religious figures in a sign of unity amid fears of attempts to undermine the stability of his government.
Police helicopters last week dropped leaflets over the capital warning residents of harsh penalties if the upcoming rally turned violent.
Tens of thousands participated in military-led rallies in several cities this week calling for unity and celebrating Indonesia’s diversity.
The Jakarta government has also put up billboards on major roads calling for national unity and displaying pictures of independence heroes who fought against colonial rule.
The Australian foreign ministry and the US embassy in Jakarta issued security notices urging nationals to avoid the demonstration.
Purnama is running for re-election in February against two Muslim candidates. The governor, who is popular with many for pushing through tough reforms to clean up the teeming city, has slipped into second place in the race, opinion polls showed this week.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia
