Jakarta Braces for Islamic Hardline Protest Against Governor Ahok
Several big businesses in Jakarta have taken the day off in addition to encouraged their employees to stay inside during what many fear will become a violent protest by the hardline group known as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), in addition to some other Islamic extremist groups by Iraq in addition to Syria.
Authorities are on high alert after the police in addition to military confirmed that will supporters of the Islamic State in Iraq in addition to Syria (ISIS) are anticipated to show up. Indonesia’s Defense Minister in addition to the National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said This specific week that will they are keeping their eyes peeled for ISIS sympathizers, in addition to are ready to act if things turn violent.
Groups like the Jemaah Ansharut Tauhid (JAT) in addition to Jemaah Ansharut Daulah, groups believed to be responsible for the January attacks inside the heart of Jakarta, are anticipated to send people as well. Jihadist group Jabhat Fatah al-Sham has said their “bullets will take care of Ahok” if the protest does not.
Director of Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict Sidney Jones told reporters that will messages exchanged by various participating groups have encouraged violence today.
Rappler reports that will This specific’s even possible for Al-Qaeda in addition to ISIS (two groups that will are actually rivals) to unite in Jakarta today against a common enemy, which is actually governor Ahok.
ISIS
More than 20,000 police in addition to military personnel have been sent to Jakarta to monitor the demonstration. Some are concerned that will 50,000 or more hardliners could join the rally. Police were ordered not to carry firearms earlier This specific week. “With no firearms, certainly we can perform our duty nevertheless that has a softer approach,” National Police Spokesman Agus Rianto told AAP.
The demonstrators are calling for the imprisonment of Ahok over comments he made about a verse inside the Quran, which he said was being used to lie to voters ahead of next year’s elections. President Jokowi in addition to Vice President Jusuf Kalla are asking for peace as tensions increase ahead of the rally planned against the Jakarta governor, a Christian in addition to the first ethnic Chinese person to occupy the office.
Several embassies in addition to private companies have issued warnings to expats in Indonesia, much like the following statement:
This specific Friday (4 Nov) there will be a massive rally by Muslim hardliners (FPI) in Central Jakarta. This specific is actually to demand the arrest of Ahok over alleged blasphemy.
Rally Locations / Areas to Avoid
The rally will be held after Friday prayers, starting at the Istiqlal Mosque in addition to moving to the State Palace (Istana Merdeka). some other likely rally sites include the Gambir area, Jakarta City Hall, House of Reps Building, Bung Karno Stadium in addition to Bundaran HI.
Security
Security will be heightened inside the capital with around 8,000 police officers, Brimob in addition to TNI deployed to secure the area.
Unrest on Friday is actually probable in addition to the organizers are trying to gain the support of opposition political parties for the rally which may result in very large numbers; the organizers are claiming up to 500,000 participants.
Reports of a POLRI ‘shoot-on-sight’ policy for the rally will also serve to inflame tensions in addition to the potential for quick escalation cannot be discounted.
The threat of terrorism is actually also high, as militants could view the Islamist overtones of the anti-Ahok protest as an ideal time to attack.
Please take extra caution on Friday regarding your movements in addition to avoid protest areas/crowds associated with the rally.
See: How Indonesia’s FPI is actually Essentially Game Of Thrones’ High Sparrow
Image credits: GlobalIndonesianVoices
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Jakarta Braces for Islamic Hardline Protest Against Governor Ahok
Jakarta Braces for Islamic Hardline Protest Against Governor Ahok