TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo has invited religious leaders from Muhammadiyah, Nahdalatul Ulama (NU), and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) ahead of a demonstration planned by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) in front of the Presidential Palace on Friday, November 4, 2016. Jokowi said he was asking for advice from the Muslim clerics at the meeting.
“Currently, I'm hoping for a peaceful advice,” said Jokowi on Tuesday, November 1, 2016.
The President said he did not only expect a peaceful advice but also to sustain the country’s religious tolerance. Especially since The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has already considered Indonesia as a country that has successfully sustained religious harmony among religions and religious leaders.
“Dare to take a stand. Islamic and Indonesian values’ are not to be disputed,” Jokowi said.
The big rally planned on November 4 that is masterminded by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)
Thousands of people from various organizations will hold Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)-led protests for the second time at Jakarta City Hall and other regions in Indonesia. They will demand police to proceed with a legal process in connection with Ahok’s alleged blasphemy for citing Quran verse of al-Maidah 51 in his speech.
Ahok has been reported to the Police related to the statements he made yet there is no significant progress on the process. FPI wants the case to be solved as soon as possible; they believe that Ahok is quilty.
ISTMAN M.P.
