Traffic was held up in all directions for more than an hour, as 250 police officers protecting the protest had trouble with crowd control.

“We do not represent any organization. We are merely ordinary citizens who have had enough with all the violent and repressive acts carried out by the FPI in the name of Islam,” rally spokesperson Vivi Widyawati told reporters.

The FPI is a hard-line group notorious for its violent crackdowns on nightclubs and massage parlors, which it deems “sinful places”.

Vivi said that the rally was held in response to a similar protest held in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, on Saturday, when hundreds of protesters, mostly from the Dayak tribe, staged a demonstration at the Tjilik Riwut Airport to block the arrival of four senior FPI leaders intending to inaugurate a local branch. “We fully support the Dayak tribe’s decision. If they can drive FPI out of Palangkaraya, so can we,” Vivi said.

Despite repeated calls on the government to disband the FPI, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has brushed off allegations that the government was reluctant to take action against vigilante groups.

During an interview with journalists at the State Palace on Monday, which was aired live by several national TV stations, a reporter asked why the President seemed to be indecisive when it came to matters related to the FPI, such as calls for their disbandment.

The President, who referred to the FPI as “our brothers”, only said that legal action should be taken against anyone, be they FPI or others, who used violence. This has been Yudhoyono’s standard answer and many analysts regard it as a sign of indecisiveness or a reluctance to take on sensitive issues.

“Concerning the incident in Palangkaraya, our brothers in the FPI should ask themselves why other organizations are allowed to be established there while they are rejected?” Yudhoyono said.

“Any organization can hold activities wherever they want in Indonesia, as long as they do not violate the law. Officials and law enforcers in Central Kalimantan must be prudent. Saturday’s incident might have been provoked by certain parties,” the President said.

Protesters started to arrive at the traffic circle at about 3.30 p.m. The demonstration itself began at 4 p.m. and went on for around an hour, before protesters dispersed.

Banners bearing strongly worded messages urging the FPI’s disbandment were held up by the protesters. “Condemn violence in the name of religion. Indonesia without the FPI!” said one of the banners. “The state must not kneel before cloaked hoodlums,” said another.

A more tongue-in-cheek banner read “A Valentine’s gift for Habib Rizieq,” referring to FPI leader Habib Rizieq Shihab. One of the protesters brought a smaller version of this message and a pink stuffed toy pig.

Well-known film and stage actress Jajang C. Noer, noted director Hanung Bramantyo, and activist Alissa Wahid, the daughter of former president Abdurrahman Wahid, were among the protesters.

“Islam does not need defending. God does not need defending. What Indonesia needs right now is peace. Stop the violence and stop judging others without reason,” Jajang said.

Meanwhile, Hanung demanded that those who called themselves intellects and moderates stood up for themselves. “Show these violent organizations who are the real majority,” he said.

According to Hanung, the FPI is only a minority among Indonesian Muslims. “Don’t let the FPI act as if they’re the majority. The silent majority must make their voice heard.”

The protest took a violent turn when one of its coordinators, identified as Bhagavad Sambada, was attacked by an unidentified man. The attacker then grabbed one of the protest banners and trampled on it, inciting the anger of many of the protesters.

The attacker was heard saying “Valentine is haram! Valentine is haram!” before attacking Bhagavad.

Haram is an Islamic term meaning “forbidden” and is used to refer to anything that is considered unlawful or prohibited by God.

Six men were taken into custody following the chaotic incident, including Bhagavad and another protester identified as Bandi. The other four were unidentified. Bhagavad was released later in the evening, while the other five were detained by the Jakarta Police for questioning.

“We do not know who the other four are. They were not part of the protest,” said Tunggal Prawesti, another spokesperson for the rally.

The police were unavailable for comment. Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto did not respond to calls or text messages from The Jakarta Post. (mim)

What FPI has done lately

Jan. 12, 2012: Demonstrators, including many FPI members, ransacked the Home Ministry office to protest Minister Gamawan Fauzi’s clarification of nine bylaws on alcoholic beverages, which they assumed were revoked.

Nov. 14, 2011:Vigilante groups in Bekasi, which included FPI members, entered an Ahmadiyah mosque in Jatibening and called on members of the group to halt Friday prayers.

Aug. 20, 2011: Hundreds of FPI members demonstrated in front of the SCTV television station over its plan to broadcast “?” the movie on the night of Idul Fitri. SCTV bowed to the protest.

Aug. 1, 2011: FPI took to the streets in Bandung to demonstrate against the consumption of alcohol. They seized at least 50 jerry cans of traditional alcoholic brew, tuak.

May 4, 2011: FPI held a memorial to pay tribute to Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a US intelligence operation in Pakistan. They prayers were led by patron Habib Rizieq Shihab.

Feb. 10, 2011: FPI warned that it would overthrow SBY if he dared to disband any mass organization, including the FPI.

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