TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia`s largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) has called for a halt of violence on religious figures for whatever reasons.

"A spate of violent incidents that have happened indicates that there is religious hatred which must be stopped, condemned and shunned," chairman of NU Executive Board (PBNU) Robikin Emhas said on Sunday.

He said violent attacks on religious figures have the potential to disrupt unity and in turn security.

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"In the current political years of 2018 and 2019 let us prove that Indonesia is able to implement transfers of power in a civilized way," he said.

On a separate occasion, the chief of NU martial art group Pagar Nusa, M Nabil Haroen, said violence on religious figures must be stopped.

"Before it was an Islamic cleric and now it is a Catholic priest. It is kind of a series of violent incidents. This must be stopped. Not only that the perpetrator must be caught but the incidents must also be halted. Efforts must be taken to prevent irresponsible group from disrupting the situation in Indonesia," he said.

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He called on NU members, boarding school students, inter-religious followers, the police and the army to maintain the situation so that it will remain conducive.

"We must not surrender to violence. There must be concerted efforts to cut it," he said.

Pagar Nusa has instructed its members to close ranks and conduct consolidation with inter-religious followers for cooperation.

"We also continued to communicate intensively with the commander of TNI (military) and the Indonesia Police chief to jointly create conducive situation," he said.

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He said 2018 and 2019 are political years and consolidation among community elements must be increased.

"Do not allow political situation ahead of regional and general elections to turn into turbulence that may be used by irresponsible group," Nabil said.

ANTARA