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212 protesters to stage anniversary rally at Monas
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A peaceful rally on Dec. 12, 2016 calls for the prosecution of then Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja "Ahok" Purnama for blasphemy. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
T
housands of protesters who took to the streets on Dec. 12, 2016 plan to stage a major gathering at the National Monument (Monas) to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the street protest that called for the prosecution of then Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama for blasphemy.
The chairman of an organization that dubbed itself as the "212 Rally Alumni", Slamet Maarif, said the group had applied for a permit to hold the event at Monas.
Slamet said hundreds of thousands of Muslims from Jakarta and beyond would join the gathering where they would hold a predawn (subuh) prayer before continuing with a rally and finishing with a midday (dzuhur) prayer. The event would also coincide with the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, falling on Dec. 1.
The Jakarta Police have called on the group to hold the event at the Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta.
"Others can suggest where we should hold the event, but the time and place has been decided. We are arranging all the permits," Slamet said as quoted by kompas.com.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Idham Azis maintained that the event should be held at Istiqlal mosque.
"If it is possible, please just hold the event at Istiqlal to ensure better security measures. The military and police will be ready to secure the event," he said.
