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Islamists urge caliphate revival Islamists urge caliphate revival
(30 minutes later)
Some 80,000 Islamists have met in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, to press for the re-establishment of a caliphate across the Muslim world.Some 80,000 Islamists have met in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, to press for the re-establishment of a caliphate across the Muslim world.
The Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir - which organised the conference - said it was the largest-ever gathering of Muslim activists from around the world. The Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir - which organised the conference - said it had been the largest gathering of Muslim activists from around the world.
However, the group is illegal in many countries and key speakers have been stopped from entering Indonesia.However, the group is illegal in many countries and key speakers have been stopped from entering Indonesia.
A caliphate - or single state for Muslims - last existed in 1924.A caliphate - or single state for Muslims - last existed in 1924.
Hizb ut-Tahrir regards this as the ideal form of government, because it follows the laws of God as set out in the Koran, rather than laws designed by man.Hizb ut-Tahrir regards this as the ideal form of government, because it follows the laws of God as set out in the Koran, rather than laws designed by man.
The groups says it seeks to set up a caliphate by non-violent means - but many experts see it as ideologically close to jihadist groups.The groups says it seeks to set up a caliphate by non-violent means - but many experts see it as ideologically close to jihadist groups.
HIZB UT-TAHRIR Founded in the 1950s by Palestinian jurist Taqiuddin an-NabhaniActive across the Middle East, central and south-east Asia and, increasingly, EuropeSeeks a caliphate, or single state, across the Muslim worldBanned in most Middle-Eastern countries class="" href="/1/hi/uk/4127688.stm"> Q&A: Hizb ut-Tahrir It is banned in most of the Middle East and parts of Europe. It is banned in most of the Middle East and parts of Europe.
The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says that of the estimated 80,000 people packing the stadium hired for the event, the overwhelming majority are women, who have travelled from across Indonesia to attend. HIZB UT-TAHRIR Founded in the 1950s by Palestinian jurist Taqiuddin an-NabhaniActive across the Middle East, central and south-east Asia and, increasingly, EuropeSeeks a caliphate, or single state, across the Muslim worldBanned in most Middle-Eastern countries class="" href="/1/hi/uk/4127688.stm"> Q&A: Hizb ut-Tahrir The BBC's Lucy Williamson in Jakarta says that of the estimated 80,000 people packing the stadium hired for the event, the overwhelming majority were women, who have travelled from across Indonesia to attend.
The line up of speakers has dwindled by the day. However, our correspondent says, this has done nothing to dampen the mood of those attending. The line up of speakers dwindled by the day. However, our correspondent says, this did nothing to dampen the mood of those attending.
According to Hizb ut-Tahrir, three of their five international speakers have not been granted permission to enter Indonesia. But the group says at least two activists who had been asked to speak - one from Britain and another from Australia - were barred by the Indonesian government.
Immigration officials at Jakarta's main airport were unable to confirm this, but the organisation said delegates from Britain and Australia were turned away on Friday and a Palestinian delegate was unable to leave the Palestinian territories. Security fears
Banned Abdul Wahid, the group's chairman in Britain, said in a statement: "Hizb ut-Tahrir has spearheaded a crucial debate on the future for the Muslim world - an alternative to corruption and dictatorship.
Key speakers were barred from travelling to Indonesia"We hear endless rhetoric about a battle of ideas but the only actions we see are bans, smears and an attempt to silence debate."
Controversial Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir was also scheduled to address the conference, but organisers asked him not to attend after police raised security concerns.Controversial Indonesian cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir was also scheduled to address the conference, but organisers asked him not to attend after police raised security concerns.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, which translates as the Liberation Party, was founded in Jerusalem in the 1950s by Palestinian religious scholar Taqiuddin an-Nabhani. Hizb ut-Tahrir - or Liberation Party - was founded in Jerusalem in the 1950s by Palestinian religious scholar Taqiuddin an-Nabhani.
Today it has a mainly clandestine following in the Middle East, a large presence in Central Asia - where hundreds of its members have been jailed - and active supporters in the West, including London, which is believed to be one of its main bases.Today it has a mainly clandestine following in the Middle East, a large presence in Central Asia - where hundreds of its members have been jailed - and active supporters in the West, including London, which is believed to be one of its main bases.
The BBC's Islamic affairs analyst Roger Hardy says many experts see it as ideologically close to violent jihadist groups, and suspect its commitment to peaceful means is purely tactical. Many experts see it as ideologically close to violent jihadist groups, and suspect its commitment to peaceful means is purely tactical.
They describe its leadership as highly centralised and exhibiting totalitarian tendencies.
Many of its members are students. Several British campuses have banned the organisation on grounds of anti-Semitism and homophobia.