Jakarta, 04 Safar 1438/03 November 2016 (MINA) – The Jakarta Police held a mass prayer and dzikir (chanting verses in praise of God) ahead of the planned November 4 rally.

“We pray together. We ask God to give us the patience to secure a protest rally to be staged on November 4, 2016,” Jakarta Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Awi Setiyono said here on Thursday.

The prayer ceremony was led by Islamic preacher Arifin Ilham and was also attended by Jakarta Police chief Inspector General M. Iriawan, Deputy Jakarta Police chief Brigadier General Suntana and other officials.

Jakarta Police would deploy 300 female officers wearing hijabs. They will be sent to the front line to negotiate with the protesters.

The female officers were expected to cut down tension and to settle down the situation.

Meanwhile, West Java Police would deploy several officers wearing turbans to secure the upcoming rally.

“They are from Mobile Brigade (Brimob) of West Java Police,” he said.

A number of Muslim organizations have planned to organize a major rally to protest against Jakarta Governor Tjahaja Basuki Purnamas blasphemous statement concerning the Holy Quran.

They demanded a legal enforcement and justice for taking Ahok to a court for alleged blasphemy.

In addition, Jakarta Police is preparing arrangements to reroute the capitals traffic in anticipation of heightened gridlock around the presidential palace and the National Monument in Central Jakarta.

Joint roll call at National Monument

The National Police (Polri) and the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) earlier held a joint roll call at the National Monument (Monas) here on Wednesday.

The joint roll call was held to make security arrangements for both the regional head elections (Pilkada) 2017 and the planned November 4 rally.

“This morning, TNI and Polri held a joint roll call for a final check on security for the campaign stage of the Pilkada. The Commander and we agreed to hold this roll call to demonstrate our preparedness and solidarity,” Polri Chief General Tito Karnavian said.

Security officers have the obligation to maintain security during the implementation of democratic elections in 101 regions across Indonesia, he said.

“During this roll call, we shared similar perceptions. TNI and Polri are brothers who are most important for maintaining the security in NKRI (Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia). Together, we will protect the security and public order during this vulnerable stage of Pilkada,” he said.

He urged candidates participating in the Pilkada throughout Indonesia to abide by the laws and avoid violations.

TNI Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo has expressed his forces readiness to assist Polri in securing every stage of the Pilkada process as well as the November 4 rally.

As many as 4 thousand police and military officers participated in the roll call. T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)