Indonesia: Tens of Thousands Rally for Unity after Mass Blasphemy Protests Against Christian Governor

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Sunday’s event follows mass protests in Jakarta against Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as “Ahok,” who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy.

Photo: VOA

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Latin American Herald Tribune
By LAHT | December 4, 2016

JAKARTA – Thousands of Indonesians gathered in Jakarta on Sunday to rally for unity following mass protests against the city’s Christian governor, who is accused of insulting Islam.

Participants from various political parties, civil society organizations and interfaith groups congregated at the main roundabout in Jakarta at around 8 a.m., waving national flags and calling for tolerance, an epa journalist on the scene reported.

The three-hour “Kita Indonesia” (We are Indonesia) event included a number of cultural performances, as well as speeches calling for unity.

“The unity of Indonesia is unbreakable. Our biggest enemies are stupidity and poverty. We won’t let other nations laugh at us. We need the spirit of unity,” NasDem party chief Surya Paloh said, as cited by the Jakarta Globe newspaper.

Sunday’s event follows mass protests in Jakarta against Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known as “Ahok,” who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy.

On Friday, huge crowds of conservative Muslims joined a demonstration in the latest action against the official since a video circulated in September in which he allegedly insulted Islam, the majority religion in Indonesia.

Purnama has apologized for offending Muslims, but claims the video was manipulated.



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