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Mass prayer rally in Jakarta against governor 'Ahok' | Mass prayer rally in Jakarta against governor 'Ahok' |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least 200,000 conservative Muslims have gathered for Friday prayers and to protest against Jakarta's governor, at a rally in the Indonesian capital. | At least 200,000 conservative Muslims have gathered for Friday prayers and to protest against Jakarta's governor, at a rally in the Indonesian capital. |
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as "Ahok", is accused of insulting Islam during election campaigning. | Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known as "Ahok", is accused of insulting Islam during election campaigning. |
On Wednesday, Indonesian prosecutors confirmed his case could go to trial. | On Wednesday, Indonesian prosecutors confirmed his case could go to trial. |
Mr Purnama is Christian and ethnic Chinese - a double-minority in Muslim-majority Indonesia, where ethnic Chinese are about 1% of the population. | Mr Purnama is Christian and ethnic Chinese - a double-minority in Muslim-majority Indonesia, where ethnic Chinese are about 1% of the population. |
In a surprise move, President Joko Widodo, a political ally of Mr Purnama, appeared at the gathering and listened to a sermon delivered by one of his own fierce critics, radical Islamic Defender Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. | In a surprise move, President Joko Widodo, a political ally of Mr Purnama, appeared at the gathering and listened to a sermon delivered by one of his own fierce critics, radical Islamic Defender Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab. |
Ahead of the rally, police announced that they had detained eight people for suspected treason. The group includes the sister of former president Megawati Sukarnoputri and musician Ahmad Dhani. | |
Mr Widodo has blamed "political actors" of trying to take advantage of the furore over Mr Purnama to destabilise his government. | Mr Widodo has blamed "political actors" of trying to take advantage of the furore over Mr Purnama to destabilise his government. |
The BBC's Ging Ginanjar, at the rally, says organisers told police it would just be a public sermon and mass prayer, but many attendees are carrying banners condemning Jakarta's governor and calling for him to be jailed. | The BBC's Ging Ginanjar, at the rally, says organisers told police it would just be a public sermon and mass prayer, but many attendees are carrying banners condemning Jakarta's governor and calling for him to be jailed. |
A large protest against the governor on 4 November turned violent, leaving one man dead and dozens of police and demonstrators injured. | A large protest against the governor on 4 November turned violent, leaving one man dead and dozens of police and demonstrators injured. |
In a campaign speech in September, Mr Purnama said Islamic groups who were using a Koranic verse to discourage support for him were deceiving voters. The verse is interpreted by some as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim. | In a campaign speech in September, Mr Purnama said Islamic groups who were using a Koranic verse to discourage support for him were deceiving voters. The verse is interpreted by some as prohibiting Muslims from living under the leadership of a non-Muslim. |
Islamic groups said he had criticised the Koran and lodged complaints with the police. | Islamic groups said he had criticised the Koran and lodged complaints with the police. |
Mr Purnama later apologised but denied committing blasphemy, which carries a maximum five year jail sentence. He has promised to continue campaigning for the governorship, a role he inherited when his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in 2014. | Mr Purnama later apologised but denied committing blasphemy, which carries a maximum five year jail sentence. He has promised to continue campaigning for the governorship, a role he inherited when his predecessor Joko Widodo became president in 2014. |
The election is to be held in February. | The election is to be held in February. |
Police have said they will not arrest the governor, but he is barred from leaving the country while the case continues. | Police have said they will not arrest the governor, but he is barred from leaving the country while the case continues. |
While polls suggest the straight-talking governor's popularity has been hurt by the allegations, he is popular for his stances against corruption and in favour of public transport and greater access to healthcare and education. | While polls suggest the straight-talking governor's popularity has been hurt by the allegations, he is popular for his stances against corruption and in favour of public transport and greater access to healthcare and education. |