TEMPO.CO, Semarang - Semarang Police put efforts to guard celebration of the day of Ashura (the 10th day of the month of Muharram) by the Shia community in Semarang has been lauded by Social and Religious Study Institute (eLSA) Central Java chapter.
The eLSA activist Tedi Kholiludin said that the celebration of Ashura at Nuruts Tsaqolain Foundation Mosque in Semarang has successfully been held despite efforts made to thwart it by several groups who claimed to represent Musilms. “Had the police failed to give protection and security, the Shia community wouldn’t be able to hold the event,” he told Tempo Wednesday in Semarang.
The celebration of the 10th day of the month Muharram held by the Shia community in Central Java was heavily guarded by police since Tuesday, October 11, following opposition from some groups.
Hundreds of people had intended to disband the celebration of Ashura. They brought flags, wore black outfits and used masks. They hailed from several regions in Central Java, such as Solo, Kendal, Magelang, Yogyakarta, etc.
Police deployed their personnel in several alleys leading to the location of the celebration of Ashura. They prevented people from entering the location. Earlier, protesters had held a rally in Simpang Lima intersection in Semarang. Afterwards, they held talks with Central Java provincial government at the governor’s office. Their efforts to disband Ashura celebration failed as police blocked them.
Semarang Police chief Sr. Comr. Abiyoso Seno Aji said that the event was protected under the law. “It’s our responsibility to protect [them]. Had anyone been intending to disband [the event], they would have had to face us,” he said.
Tedi said that the incident shows that there are many groups in Central Java who could disrupt communal harmony.
Tedi has called on religious groups to continue to guard and ensure that all citizens can exercise their freedom of religion or belief. “The Shia community is committed to Indonesia and their nationalism is unquestionable,” Tedi said.
ROFIUDDIN
