Indonesian Muslims Flocking Istiqlal Grand Mosque for Mass Prayer Session

Jakarta, 12 Jumadil Awwal 1438/10 February 2017 (MINA) – Indonesian Muslims from Greater Jakarta and other cities are flocking the Istiqlal Grand Mosque for mass prayer or  peaceful action of 11th February known as “112 action” to defend Islamic clerics and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

Dozens of buses from several cities have arrived in the Indonesia’s largest mosque for the morning’s action, according to media reports.

Not only that, Muslims from Kalimantan, Medan, Sumatera island and Papua have  reportedly confirmed their readiness to attend the mass prayer and tausyiah or religious message.

Islamic Umah Forum (FUI), as a host of the event expressed the hope that the 112 Action would serve as a continuation of their demands for the prosecution of Tjahaja Basuki Purnama or Ahok for blasphemy of the Quran in a political campaign in the Thousand Islands.

“Given the political climate in Jakarta is increasingly heated ahead of the gubernatorial election, the original activity is replaced to mass prayer session and tausyiah instead of the healthy walk and the long march,” leader of Islamic Defend Font (FPI) as part of FUI, Rizieq Shihab, told reporters during a press conference.

Previously, Jakarta Police Chief M. Iriawan insisted the police will not issue a permit for Muslims taking to the streets for fearing the event could provoke a riot a day before the Quiet Period. He stated, “if they still take to the streets, the police will take stern action.”

National police chief Tito Karnavian said Muslims wanting to to join the mass prayer should limit their activities around the mosque only and do not hold a long march.

More than 20,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the mass prayer, Karnavian said.(T/RE1/RS05)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)