TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Thousands of protesters rallied in front of the House of Representatives' (DPR) building in South Jakarta today, February 21. They demanded Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok dismissed from his post.
A number of community leaders take turns to speak at the command car, including Rizieq Shihab's son-in-law.
Also read: Protesters Gather for 212 Jakarta Rally Demand Ahok's Suspension
He gave a speech for more than half an hour, saying that his father-in-law —leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab—told him to express their aspirations.
"The grand Imam reminds us Muslims to maintain peace," he said.
He said that the rally was a peaceful one and that Rizieq asked everyone to protest in the name of God. "This is a matter of pride for Muslims; our dignity is being trampled by infidels."
He demanded the Jakarta Governor Ahok be sacked and imprisoned for blaspheming Islam. Rizieq's in law also asked the police to stop criminalizing Islamic scholars, including his father-in-law Rizieq Shihab who is named as a crime suspect in several cases.
A few thousands of people of the Islamic People's Forum (FUI) and other community organizations marched towards the DPR building since morning, crowding the Gatot Subroto road. They demanded the same; the dismissal of Ahok from his post as Governor of Jakarta.
Most of the protesters came from cities in West Java, like Bogor, Depok, and Tangerang.
AVIT HIDAYAT
Editor's note:
The content of this article has been edited to clarify that the orator at the rally is the son-in-law of Rizieq Shihab and not his son.
