JAKARTA, Indonesia — Tens of thousands of Indonesians rallied in the of the capital Jakarta on Sunday, calling for tolerance and unity after massive protests by conservative Muslims against the city's minority Christian governor.

The crowds filled a major traffic circle in the heart of the city and sprawled into its main thoroughfares.

The demonstrators waved "We Are Indonesia" signs and a giant red-and-white national flag was held aloft by hundreds of people.

The capital of Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, has been rocked in the past month by two major protests against Gov. Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy. Hardline Muslim groups are demanding his immediate arrest. Police say his detention is not necessary and have called for the respect of the legal process.

A demonstration against Ahok on Friday drew at least 200,000 people. An anti-Ahok protest on Nov. 4 attracted at least 100,000 people and turned violent, with one dead and dozens of protesters and police injured.

Sunday's rally coincided with a weekly car-free morning in Jakarta when a central artery of the city is handed over to pedestrians for a few hours.

Organizers called it the "Parade of Indonesian Culture" and it featured traditional dances from Sabang in westernmost Aceh to Merauke in easternmost Papua.

National leaders of political parties under the pro-government coalition behind President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, an ally of Ahok, delivered short speeches on the importance of keeping the ethnically diverse nation united.

"We have to fight to materialize the aims of our independence. That will not happen if we are scattered, blaspheming, humiliating each other and no longer trust each other," Surya Paloh, chairman of the National Democratic Party, said from the main stage.

"Our main enemies are stupidity and poverty. Therefore we ask the current government to work harder and always consistently with the people's aspirations," Paloh said.

Blasphemy is a criminal in Indonesia and punishable by up to five years in prison. </s> Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN) Hundreds of thousands of Indonesians took to the streets Friday to protest Jakarta's embattled governor.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, has faced demonstrations calling for his ouster amid allegations of blasphemy.

An ethnic Chinese Christian, Ahok is currently under investigation by Indonesian police over a speech he gave in which hardline Islamists claim he insulted the Quran.

Police estimate around 200,000 people converged on Jakarta's main square Friday for noon prayers.

Islamist groups, NGOs, students and ordinary citizens came from Jakarta and other cities and towns outside the capital.

Protesters chanted "jail Ahok," and called for him to be detained while the blasphemy case is ongoing.

"It's not about ethnicity or religion," a protester called Agus told CNN. "It's only this one person who needs to be brought to trial."

"It's a matter of what he has done," he said.

Supporters of Ahok gathered Friday outside his headquarters to pray for him, according to a statement from the campaign team.

The accusations of blasphemy surround Ahok's quoting of a Quranic verse in a stump speech.

He is currently standing for re-election as governor, and has faced attacks on his Christian faith, with some opponents claiming that Muslims were forbidden by the Quran to vote for him.

In a speech last month, Ahok quoted a verse from the Muslim holy book and said that people had been "lied to" by those saying they would go to hell for voting for him. There was widespread outrage after an edited video of his speech went viral.

Speaking at Friday's protests, Suci, a volunteer at an Islamic NGO, said that if a Muslim is standing for election "we have to choose (the) Muslim."

Noor Huda Ismail, founder of the Institute for International Peace Building in Indonesia, told CNN last month that Ahok, a key ally of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, is an easy target for the enemies of the President, who's popularly known as Jokowi.

"He's a stepping stone (to Jokowi). You see people no longer talking about the blasphemy case but about wanting to topple the government," Ismail said. </s> In April, prosecutors called for the blasphemy counts to be dropped in exchange for a lesser charge of "spreading hate," but the judges appear to have ignored that recommendation.

The controversial Chinese Christian politician was put on trial in December over accusations that he insulted Islam while campaigning to retain his role. The Jakarta governor denied the charges.

Almost no one who has been charged under the blasphemy law has ever escaped conviction, associate professor of Indonesian politics at the Australian National University Greg Fealy told CNN.

"The blasphemy law has really been a blight on the rule of law and democracy in Indonesia for decades," he said, adding that "the fact that Ahok was charged at all was really a product of massive street demonstrations that frightened the government into acting."

In November, Ahok quoted a verse from the Quran to prove to his supporters that there were no restrictions on Muslims voting for a non-Muslim politician. Since an edited video of his remarks was released, hundreds of thousands of Muslim Indonesians protested against him on the streets of Jakarta, with many calling for his jailing Muslim protesters marched on Jakarta's governor's office on Friday, November 4. Tens of thousands of Muslims descended upon the Indonesian capital demanding Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- commonly known as Ahok -- be prosecuted on accusations that he committed blasphemy. An estimated 200,000 people converged on the center of the Indonesian capital to demand the arrest of its minority-Christian governor on November 4. Muslim leaders broadcast their message as they march past Jakarta's governor's office on November 4. Indonesian riot police were on standby in the compound of the governor's office on November 4. Protesters sat atop a speaker system during the demonstration on November 4. Indonesian policewomen stood guard during the protest outside Jakarta's City Hall on November 4. Female Muslim protesters marched outside the governor's office on November 4. The march continued toward the presidential palace on November 4. Roads near the Agriculture Ministry where the verdict was due to be delivered were closed from Monday evening in preparation, local media reported. The verdict comes less than a month after Ahok lost his bid for re-election as Jakarta governor , a result some experts attributed to his ongoing trial. As well as being a minority ethnic Chinese Indonesian, the outgoing governor is also a Christian. He was defeated by former Indonesian education and culture minister Anies Baswedan, a Muslim, after a campaign riven by religious tensions. On the day of the election, the Jakarta Post editorial board described the campaign as the "dirtiest, most polarizing and divisive" ever seen in Indonesia. Fealy said Ahok's conviction was a blow for religious tolerance in Indonesia. "We must acknowledge that Ahok was always a special case ... (but) if you were a non-Muslim and you were considering a career in public life, you're probably more likely to think twice about that," he said. </s> JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Tens of thousands of Indonesians rallied in the center of the capital Jakarta on Sunday, calling for tolerance and unity after massive protests by conservative Muslims against the city’s minority Christian governor.

The crowds filled a major traffic circle in the heart of the city and sprawled into its main thoroughfares.

The demonstrators waved “We Are Indonesia” signs and a giant red-and-white national flag was held aloft by hundreds of people.

The capital of Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has been rocked in the past month by two major protests against Gov. Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy. The movement against Ahok, who is the first ethnic Chinese to be governor of Jakarta and the first Christian in half a century, has raised communal tensions and challenged Indonesia’s reputation for practicing a moderate brand of Islam.

A demonstration against Ahok on Friday drew at least 200,000 people. An anti-Ahok protest on Nov. 4 attracted at least 100,000 people and turned violent, with one dead and dozens of protesters and police injured.

Hard-line Muslim groups are demanding Ahok’s immediate arrest. Police say his detention is not necessary and have called for the legal process to be respected.

Sunday’s rally coincided with a weekly car-free morning in Jakarta when a central artery of the city is handed over to pedestrians for a few hours.

Police estimated 30,000 people turned up, said Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono.

Organizers called it the “Parade of Indonesian Culture” and it featured traditional dances from Sabang in westernmost Aceh to Merauke in easternmost Papua.

National leaders of political parties under the pro-government coalition behind President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, an ally of Ahok, delivered short speeches on the importance of keeping the ethnically diverse nation united.

“We have to fight to materialize the aims of our independence. That will not happen if we are scattered, blaspheming, humiliating each other and no longer trust each other,” Surya Paloh, chairman of the National Democratic Party, said from the main stage.

“Our main enemies are stupidity and poverty. Therefore we ask the current government to work harder and always consistently with the people’s aspirations,” Paloh said.

Blasphemy is a criminal offense in Indonesia and punishable by up to five years in prison.

Comments

WTOP is now using Facebook as our comment platform. Need help? Email us

comments </s> JAKARTA: Hardline Muslims rallied Tuesday under heavy police guard outside an Indonesian courthouse where Jakarta’s Christian governor is standing trial in a high-profile blasphemy case that has gripped national attention.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama — the first Christian to govern the capital in more than 50 years — arrived at court flanked by lawyers and police for the first day of his trial on charges of insulting the Koran.

The governor bowed to the panel of five judges before being seated alone in the centre of the courtroom as proceedings began.

Purnama, better known by his nickname Ahok, could be jailed for up to five years if found guilty of breaking Indonesia’s tough blasphemy laws.

He ignited a firestorm of criticism in September when he controversially quoted a Koranic verse while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.

Purnama apologised but his remarks angered Muslims — both moderate and conservative — who marched against the governor in rallies larger than any seen in Indonesia in many years.

Outside the courthouse, dozens of hardline Islamists chanted “God is Great” and waved signs depicting Purnama behind bars in prison garb.

“The Koran is our guide. Jail Ahok right away!” they yelled, pumping their fists in the air.

Police guarded the courthouse in heavy numbers, vowing to ensure there was no repeat of the violence seen at some protests against the governor.

The blasphemy saga has generated huge interest across Indonesia, with the proceedings being broadcast live on national television.

Indonesia is home to 255 million people, roughly 90 percent of whom follow Islam.

President Joko Widodo has been criticised for failing to prevent attacks on minorities which have eroded Indonesia’s reputation for tolerance and diversity.

Purnama, known for his outspoken style, is trying to retain city hall in elections slated for February.

He was on track to win but has been watching his lead crumble as the blasphemy scandal has dragged on.

His two opponents are both Muslims with strong political connections. AFP </s> Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, commonly known as Ahok, has been sentenced to two years in prison, after being found guilty of blasphemy in a trial seen as a test of Indonesia's religious tolerance.

In April, prosecutors called for the blasphemy counts to be dropped in exchange for a lesser charge of "spreading hate," but the judges appear to have ignored that recommendation.

The controversial Chinese Christian politician was put on trial in December over accusations that he insulted Islam while campaigning to retain his role. The Jakarta governor denied the charges.

Ahok quoted a verse from the Quran to prove to his supporters that there were no restrictions on Muslims voting for a non-Muslim politician.

Since an edited video of his remarks was released, hundreds of thousands of Muslim Indonesians protested against him on the streets of Jakarta, with many calling for his jailing

Roads near the Agriculture Ministry where the verdict was due to be delivered were closed from Monday evening in preparation, local media reported. The verdict comes less than a month after Ahok lost his bid for re-election as Jakarta governor , a result some experts attributed to his ongoing trial. Muslim protesters marched on Jakarta's governor's office on Friday, November 4. Tens of thousands of Muslims descended upon the Indonesian capital demanding Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- commonly known as Ahok -- be prosecuted on accusations that he committed blasphemy. An estimated 200,000 people converged on the center of the Indonesian capital to demand the arrest of its minority-Christian governor on November 4. Muslim leaders broadcast their message as they march past Jakarta's governor's office on November 4. Indonesian riot police were on standby in the compound of the governor's office on November 4. Protesters sat atop a speaker system during the demonstration on November 4. Indonesian policewomen stood guard during the protest outside Jakarta's City Hall on November 4. Female Muslim protesters marched outside the governor's office on November 4. The march continued toward the presidential palace on November 4. He was defeated by former Indonesian education and culture minister Anies Baswedan, a Muslim, after a campaign riven by religious tensions. On the day of the election, the Jakarta Post editorial board described the campaign as the "dirtiest, most polarizing and divisive" ever seen in Indonesia. </s> Indonesian Islamist groups on Monday called on the government to suspend the Christian governor of the capital and for the courts to convict him of blasphemy, demands they will make again at a rally outside parliament on Tuesday. Governor of Indonesia's capital Basuki Tjahaja Purnama shows his ballot during an election for Jakarta's governor in Jakarta, Indonesia, February 15, 2017.

Start the conversation, or Read more at Channelnewsasia.com. </s> An Indonesian court will prosecute Jakarta’s Christian governor who has been accused of blasphemy against the Qur’an, a judge announced on Tuesday.

A panel of judges rejected a petition by the legal defense team of governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known by his nickname “Ahok,” to throw out the case because it had violated the politician’s human rights and disregarded procedural protocol.

As a Christian and an ethnic Chinese, Mr. Purnama has two strikes against him in the world’s most Muslim country and hardline Islamic groups have protested his rule ever since he was elected in 2014.

Last month, Islamic conservatives rose up against Ahok accusing the governor of having manipulated a verse from the Qur’an to support his claim that it is permissible for Muslims to be governed by non-Muslims. On November 4, a mob of 150,000 Islamic protesters staged a massive march in the capital city of Jakarta, demanding a death sentence for Ahok. Similar demonstrations took place in other cities throughout Indonesia.

On Tuesday morning, hundreds more protesters dressed in white gathered outside the courthouse in north Jakarta chanting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) and calling for the governor to be jailed.

The lead judge on the panel, Dwiyarso Budi Santiarto, said the defense could appeal to a higher court if they did not agree with the decision to move forward with the case. After consulting his lawyers, Ahok told the court he would “think about it.”

At a first hearing on December 13, Ahok denied that he had intended to insult the Qur’an by citing it in a public speech in September, and reiterated his respect for Islam.

Outrage against Jakarta’s Christian governor is emblematic of rising tensions against growing Christian influence in the world’s most Muslim nation.

Earlier this month, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) issued a religious decree (fatwa) prohibiting the use of Christmas-themed attire or accessories that recall a tradition foreign to Islam.

The fatwa 56/2016 harshly criticized the Christmas atmosphere invading public areas of the country, calling it “a foreign culture with which we must not mingle.”

According to International Christian Concern, an anti-persecution advocacy group, Indonesia is under assault from an “increasingly emboldened radical Islamic sub-group that is applying public pressure to adhere to conservative Islamic law.”

The group warned that fatwas like this may be used as a reason to attack or discriminate against non-Muslims during Christian holidays.

Ahok’s next court hearing has been set for January 3 and will be held in an auditorium in the agriculture ministry for security reasons, according to authorities.

If convicted of blasphemy, the Christian governor could suffer a jail term of up to five years. </s> JAKARTA: Jakarta’s Christian governor will stand trial on Tuesday accused of blasphemy in a high-profile case that has emboldened hardline groups and stoked fears of growing intolerance in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama — the first Christian to govern Jakarta in more than 50 years — will defend allegations that he insulted the Koran and fight calls for his imprisonment under Indonesia’s tough blasphemy laws.

Purnama, known for his outspoken style, outraged Muslims when he controversially quoted a passage from the Islamic holy text while campaigning in elections for the Jakarta governorship.

His remarks ignited a protest movement by hardliners, who have long railed against a non-Muslim in city hall but failed to dent the governor’s popularity.

But their rallying cry to defend Islam and punish “the blasphemer” attracted unprecedented support from Muslims both moderate and conservative, who marched against the governor in numbers not seen in many years.

The case is being viewed in part as a test of religious tolerance in Indonesia, where a spike in attacks on minorities has eroded a reputation for diversity and inclusiveness.

“If he’s found guilty, this could be the biggest setback for pluralism in Indonesia’s history,” said Tobias Basuki from the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Race a factor

 Purnama fell foul of Indonesia’s archaic blasphemy laws when he insinuated that his opponents had used a Koranic verse to trick people into voting against him.

An edited version of his speech went viral online, sparking outrage far beyond Jakarta, where Purnama has ruled since his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in late 2014.

The governor apologized but Indonesia’s highest clerical body, and a slew of radical groups, declared the remarks blasphemous and urged authorities to bring charges.

Critics want the country’s blasphemy laws overhauled. The legislation was rarely used during the 32-year rule of strongman Suharto, but in recent years it has been exploited to persecute minorities, rights groups say.

Purnama is not only Christian but ethnic Chinese, a community long mistrusted in Indonesia, and his race made pinning him for blasphemy easier, political expert Syamsudin Haris told Agence France-Presse.

“Ahok’s ‘Chinese-ness’ is a factor,” he added, using the governor’s popular nickname.

Religious freedom is protected by law in Indonesia but moralizing thugs often enforce their own rules, preventing Islamic minorities like Shias and Ahmadis from worshipping and opposing the construction of churches.

The most prominent of these groups, the Islamic Defenders Front, has used the blasphemy scandal to burnish its credentials, staging high-profile events alongside political leaders including President Joko Widodo.

“A group that used to hound the public and the government has now been legitimized, and even accommodated, by the government,” said Hendardi, the chairman of the rights group Setara Institute, who goes by one name.

‘Trial by mob’

 Widodo — like presidents before him — has been accused of ignoring the rising influence of intolerant hardline groups, which have flourished in the nearly two decades of democracy since Suharto’s downfall.

The president “did not have the courage” to stand up to these firebrand Muslims, Haris said, fearing a backlash from the electorate, around 90 percent of which follows Islam.

The populist backlash against Purnama — an ally of Widodo — backed the president even further into a corner.

His efforts at playing peacemaker ahead of a huge rally in November failed, with mobs burning police cars and clashing with riot officers outside the presidential palace.

Widodo was forced to cancel a long-planned visit to Australia to confront the crisis, sparking rumors of a coup. Later, arrests were made over an alleged plot to topple the government.

“The case shows that the government has an enormous task to address political Islam,” Basuki said.

Critics say the controversy is as much about politics as the governor’s foes whip up anger to reduce his support ahead of the hotly-contested February poll.

Purnama was on track to win in February but has been watching his lead crumble as his two opponents — both politically-connected Muslims — have gained ground.

Purnama has refused to bow out of the race, but risks haemorrhaging more support if the blasphemy scandal drags on, Djayadi Hanan from pollster SMRC told AFP.

The trial – which Widodo and the police have vowed to resolved quickly — will have long-lasting ramifications, analysts say, especially if Purnama is sentenced to five years prison as allowed by law.

“The government can’t let this become a trial by mob, because it will set a terrible precedent for our democracy,” said Hendardi.
Thousands of Indonesians protest in Jakarta for tolerance after a large protest rally against blasphemy on Friday.