"We are not questioning the indictment," Zaitun Rasmin, deputy chairman of the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Councils Fatwa (GNPF-MUI), stated while giving directives to the participants of the Sympathetic Action 55 at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Friday.
He noted that the rally this time was focused on conveying prayers to God, so that the Almightly will give strength to Muslims in facing several cases. While offering prayers, the Muslims are expected to remain humble and sincere.
"Allah will answer our prayers if they are conveyed in a humble and sincere manner," Rasmin remarked.
Ahok is currently undergoing a legal process in court as a suspect in an alleged religious blasphemy case.
The prosecutors have demanded that the North Jakarta District Court sentence Ahok to one years imprisonment and to place him on probation for two years over blasphemy charges during the 18th trial in Jakarta on Apr 20.
"Hence, it is concluded that Jakarta Governor Ahok has been legitimately proven and has convincingly met formulations of the criminal element in line with the second alternative Article No. 156 of the Criminal Code," Ali Mukartono, the chief prosecutor, stated during the trial held by the North Jakarta District Court at the Agriculture Ministry in Jakarta on Apr 20.
Supporters of the GNPF-MUI were planning to stage a sympathetic rally called "Sympathetic Action 55" on Friday. The GNPF-MUI has urged them to hold the rally while maintaining order, cleanliness, and peace.
The rally is expected to run in a peaceful manner without causing any disturbance to the public, Rasmin pointed out.
In the meantime, preacher Adnan Harahap of the Istiqlal Mosque, in his sermons on Friday, called on Muslims to continue to change themselves for the better to realize a respectable, well-mannered, and dignified community.
Muslims should, in any circumstances, spread peace and be beneficial to the people in their surroundings and not the other way round, the preacher of the Friday prayer emphasized.
"At least they should not disadvantage others," he added.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
