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Nov. 25 rally about solidarity for Rohingya: HMI
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Seeking justice – Students aligned with the Islamic Students Association (HMI) stage a peaceful rally in Kediri, East Java, on Nov.10 to demand the release of HMI members arrested following violence in Jakarta on Nov.4 after a mass rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s alleged blasphemy. (Antara/Prasetia Fauzani)
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he Islamic Students Association (HMI), one of the organizations set to participate in a mass rally on Friday, has denied that the scheduled demonstration is related to the blasphemy allegations against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama.
Former HMI member Muhammad Syukur Mandar said on Thursday the planned rally was aimed at showing the solidarity of Indonesian Muslims with the Rohingya people in Myanmar.
“The demonstration tomorrow is being held to protest against the violence and killing of Rohingya Muslims. This is the standpoint we want to express,” said Syukur, who is also the association’s lawyer.
He further added that around 2,000-3,000 people from various organizations, including the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), were likely to participate in the rally. “There will be around 300 to 400 people from the HMI,” he added.
It is believed that the Friday rally will start at 10 a.m., during which protesters will gather in front of the Myanmar Embassy on Jl. Haji Agus Salim, Gondangdia, Menteng, before marching to the UN office on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta.
Syukur said protesters would end their rally by erecting a Rohingya solidarity post, at which people could register to volunteer for humanitarian work for Rohingya refugees or to donate aid.
As of Thursday afternoon, no mass organizations expected to participate in the rally had yet submitted notification letters to the Jakarta Police. “We will send it to the police in the evening,” Syukur said, adding that the police should not prohibit them from holding a rally given that Indonesia was a democratic country. (ebf)
