Jakarta November 2016 protests

Jakarta 2016 protests (also called Protests defending the Quran[1] or 4 November protests[2]) was a mass protest took place on 4 November 2016 in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was attended by an estimated 50,000–200,000 protesters,[3][4] and was aimed against the Governor of Jakarta Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (popularly known as "Ahok"), who allegedly insulted the Quran, the Islamic holy book.[5]

Background

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, popularly known by his Chinese nickname "Ahok", became the Governor of Jakarta, when as Vice-Governor, he took over from Joko Widodo who was elected President of Indonesia in 2014.[6] He was Jakarta's first ethnic Chinese governor, and the first non-Muslim for 50 years.[6] His ethnicity and Christian faith made him a double-minority in Muslim-majority Indonesia.[6] He sought to be elected in his own right in the 2017 gubernatorial election. Some Islamic groups opposed his campaign, citing a passage of the Quran, notably verse 51 of Sura Al Maidah, which they interpret as a prohibition on Muslims from electing a non-Muslim leader.[6]

On 30 September 2016, in a speech in front of citizens of Thousand Islands, he noted that some citizens would not vote for him because they are being "deceived using Verse 51 of Al Maidah and other things,"[7] referring to a verse that some groups have cited as grounds to oppose him.[6] The provincial government of Jakarta uploaded the video recording to YouTube in a channel which often feature Basuki's activities.[8] Citizens and pundits criticised Basuki's statement, considering it an insult on the Quran.[7] The video became viral and Basuki was criticised in social media such as Facebook and Twitter.[8] A change.org petition criticising him gained tens of thousands of signature.[8]

Several organizations, including the Islamic Defenders Front (Indonesian acronym: FPI) and a local chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council, reported Basuki to the police, accusing him of having violated Indonesia's Law On Misuse and Insult of Religion.[9] Basuki apologized on 10 October, but the report was not withdrawn, and the police began working on the case.[9]

Prelude to protest

In response to Basuki's speech and the alleged delays in the police case against him, several Islamic organization, including the FPI, planned a mass protest.[10] Indonesia's two biggest Islamic organizations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah did not encourage their members to attend the protest, but did not go as far as prohibiting members to attend it.[10] Flyers for the action called for attendees to be prepared for possibly staying overnight.[10]

Indonesian police deployed 7,000 personnel in anticipation of the protests.[11] Security was also increased in Jakarta's Chinatown and in Christian churches.[12][13]

On 3 November, the day before the protests, Indonesian government blocked access to eleven websites affiliated with the planning of the protests, on the charge of spreading hateful sentiments.[14]

Protest

The protests began around noon with a march from Istiqlal Mosque to the Presidential palace.[4] The march was largely peaceful.[4] Estimates for the attendance ranged from 50,000[3] to 200,000.[4] Former Parliament Speaker Amien Rais, Vice-Speakers of Parliament Fahri Hamzah and Fadli Zon, as well as celebrities Ahmad Dhani and Rhoma Irama attended the protest.[15] However, after nightfall, past the allotted time for the protest,[16] groups of angry demonstrators clashed with police and set fire to some vehicles.[17] One elderly man died in the clashes,[17] and at least 160 protesters and 79 police officers were injured.[4] The protest location began to be calm around 21.00 local time.[18]

Aftermath

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who met representatives of the protest, promised that the investigation would be completed within two weeks.[17] At midnight 5 November, President Joko Widodo held a press conference on the protests, and reiterated his commitment to legal action against Basuki.[4][19][20]

References

  1. ↑ "Sejumlah Tokoh Muslim Siapkan Aksi Bela Alquran di Istana Negara | Republika Online". republika.co.id. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  2. ↑ "Aksi Damai Jakarta Jadi Trending Topic Dunia". Republika. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Indonesia protest: President Joko Widodo cancels Australia visit".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 CNN, Euan McKirdy. "Thousands rally in Jakarta over governor's alleged blasphemy". cnn.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  5. ↑ PCL., Post Publishing. "50,000 Muslim hardliners rally against governor in Jakarta". bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Basuki Tjahaja Purnama: Jakarta's governor - BBC News". bbc.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Video Ahok: Anda Dibohongi Alquran Surat Al-Maidah 51 Viral di Medsos". republika.co.id. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 "Soal Al Maidah 51, Ahok: Saya Tak Berniat Melecehkan Ayat Suci Alquran". detik.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  9. 1 2 "UU penodaan agama dianggap diskriminatif dan tak sesuai HAM". 3 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
  10. 1 2 3 "Lima hal yang perlu diketahui soal demonstrasi 'tangkap Ahok' 4 November - BBC Indonesia". bbc.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  11. ↑ "Mabes Polri siagakan 7.000 personel amankan protes 'tangkap Ahok'". 31 October 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016 – via www.bbc.com.
  12. ↑ AH, Wahyu. "Trauma '98, TNI Jaga Ketat Kawasan Pecinan". infonitas.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Jelang demo, aparat jaga ketat di sejumlah gereja". ucanews.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  14. ↑ Post, The Jakarta. "Government shuts down 11 Islamic websites ahead of mass rally". thejakartapost.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  15. ↑ "Siapa Aktor Politik yang Tunggangi Demo Damai Berujung Rusuh 4 November? (1)". detik.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  16. ↑ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Jokowi Apresiasi Demo Damai, tetapi Menyesalkan Akhirnya Rusuh". kompas.com. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  17. 1 2 3 "Indonesia protest: Jakarta anti-governor rally turns violent - BBC News". bbc.com. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Siapa Aktor Politik yang Tunggangi Demo Damai Berujung Rusuh 4 November? (3)". detik.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  19. ↑ Media, Kompas Cyber. "Ini Pernyataan Lengkap Presiden Jokowi Terkait Demo 4 November". kompas.com. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  20. ↑ Ini Pidato Presiden Jokowi Soal Demo 4 November. tempo.co. Diakses 8 November 2016.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/3/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.