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Religious groups to leave Ahok’s alleged blasphemy to law enforcers
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Peace and harmony – Central Sulawesi Religious Affairs Agency head Abdullah Latopada (center) and representatives of the Inter-Religious Harmony Forum’s (FKUB) Central Sulawesi chapter sign a peace agreement in Palu on Thursday. (Courtesy of the Central Sulawesi Religious Affairs Agency/Pataruddin)
T
he Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) in Central Sulawesi has agreed to allow law enforcement authorities to solve the issue of inactive Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s alleged blasphemous remarks, in a six-point agreement signed on Thursday.
The agreement signed at the Central Sulawesi Religious Affairs Agency in Palu was in response to a large-scale rally against Ahok planned by several Islamic organizations to take place on Friday.
Agency head Abdullah Latopada said all FKUB members had agreed that law enforcement authorities should resolve the polemic triggered by a statement made by Ahok during a recent visit to Thousand Islands regency, in which he cited the Quran.
“In the meeting, they agreed not to commit provocative and anarchic acts,” said Latopada.
He added that the FKUB had agreed to urge the government to act fairly and transparently in enforcing the law against the alleged blasphemy.
Commenting on several groups’ plan to hold a rally on Friday in Palu, parallel to a rally slated for Jakarta, Latopada said religious leaders and community figures should help to maintain peace and harmony and avoid being influenced by parties that wanted to use the situation for their own gains, damage the unity and integrity of the nation, or destroy harmonious relations between religious communities.
The Indonesian Ulema Council’s (MUI) Central Sulawesi branch confirmed that a large rally would be held in Palu on Friday. Rally participants are set to depart from Darussalam Grand Mosque on Jl. Bantilan, West Palu, and Lolu Grand Mosque on Jl. Masjid Raya, East Palu, before marching together to the Central Sulawesi Legislative Council building and the Central Sulawesi Police. (ebf)
