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View all search resultsClash during controversial cleric Rizieq Shihab’s sermon leaves 15 injured
Viral videos show members of the two groups exchanging blows using wooden blocks, bamboo sticks, rocks and other makeshift weapons.
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Islam Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab arrives at the Jakarta Police headquarters in Jakarta on Dec. 12. Rizieq was summoned by the police for allegedly breaching health protocols by holding crowded events at his house and at the group’s headquarters in Petamburan, Central Jakarta, last month. JP/Seto Wardhana. (JPJP/Seto Wardhana)
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t least 15 people were injured on Wednesday after clashes broke out between two Islamic mass organizations during a religious event attended by controversial cleric Rizieq Shihab in Pemalang Regency.
According to authorities, the violence erupted between the Indonesian Walisongo Movement-Sabilillah Militia (PWI-LS), which opposed Rizieq’s presence at the event, and members of the United Islamic Front (FPI), a group aligned with the firebrand cleric.
Pemalang Police Chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Eko Sunaryo said the PWI-LS had expressed opposition to Rizieq’s attendance and planned sermons several days before the religious event, which prompted local authorities to organize a mediation meeting involving both PWI-LS and the FPI in an effort to defuse tensions.
“In the meeting, both groups agreed to allow the event to proceed on the condition that it remained peaceful, did not disrupt public order and complied with the law,” Eko said on Thursday. “They also committed to limiting the number of participants, preserving social harmony and refraining from delivering provocative sermons.”
Read also: Rizieq Shihab released on parole
However, as the event began around 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, thousands of PWI-LS members arrived at the religious gathering venue in Pegundan Village. By around 11:00 p.m., shortly after Rizieq Shihab’s arrival at the event, tensions erupted into physical clashes between PWI-LS and FPI members.
Viral videos showed members of the two groups exchanging blows using wooden blocks, bamboo sticks, rocks and other makeshift weapons. Eko said the clash, which involved hundreds of people, took place some 50 meters from the main stage and lasted for about 30 minutes.
