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NU, Muhammadiyah call on members to avoid 313 rally
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Fanatics – Hundreds of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members stage a rally in front of the National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on Jan. 16.
(Antara/Reno Esnir)
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ahdlatul Ulama executive board chairman Marsudi Syuhud has called on members of the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia to refrain from participating in Friday’s mass rally organized by Islamic group the Muslim People’s Forum (FUI).
“In a democratic country, holding a rally is permitted but it must comply with the law,” he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.
Marsudi said protesters must voice their concerns on a particular issue in a civilized way. “I personally want NU members to not participate in the rally,” he said.
Thousands of supporters of Islamic organizations are set to participate in a mass demonstration, called the 313 rally, on Friday. The rally is a follow up to similar protests held last year on Nov. 4 and Dec. 2 against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Abdul Mu’ti, the secretary-general of Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second largest Islamic organization, said the 313 rally must be conducted in a responsible manner.
“Conveying aspirations and opinions openly to the public via mass media, social media or other forms of media must be carried out in a responsible way through existing rules and laws,” he said as quoted by Antara on Thursday.
Mu’ti said legally, there was no problem with the 313 rally because it was in accordance with the 1945 Constitution, under which all Indonesians had the right to convey their grievances, verbally or in writing.
He said the rally had political content because the protesters were demanding that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo dismiss Ahok from his position.
“Obviously it’s a political action, especially if it is connected to Ahok’s position as a Jakarta gubernatorial candidate.” (mrc/ebf)
