- Title: Tens of thousands protesters pray in rally against Jakarta governor despite rain
- Date: 2nd December 2016
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (DECEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS AERIAL SHOTS SHOWING PROTESTERS PRAYING IN NATIONAL MONUMENT PARK (MONAS) NATIONAL MONUMENT/PROTESTERS PRAYING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS PRAYING IN RAIN HANDS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS PRAYING IN RAIN VARIOUS OF PROTESTER BOWING DOWN VARIOUS OF INDONESIAN PRESIDENT JOKO WIDODO BEING ESCORTED FROM THE STAGE AFTER PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) PROTESTER, URIANTO SAYING: "Despite heavy rain, it didn't dampen our will to perform the prayers, in fact it strengthened our faith and devotion." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) PROTESTER MOHAMMAD YASID SAYING: "I feel that the case is being dealt unfairly by the authorities and it didn't reflect what the people are requesting." PROTESTERS WALKING IN RAIN AFTER PRAYING PROTESTER HOLDING PLACARD READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "JAIL AHOK NOW" VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS JUMPING BANNER SHOWING PHOTO OF JAKARTA GOVERNOR BASUKI TJAHAJA PURNAMA BEHIND BARS
- Embargoed: 17th December 2016 08:58
- Keywords: Indonesia protest prayer Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Reuters ID: LVA0015B6WZ7P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A sea of white-clad protesters performed Friday prayers in a park in central Jakarta during a protest against Jakarta governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian accused of insulting the Koran.
Police estimated at least 150,000 people, including many who travelled to Jakarta from towns and cities across the island of Java, had gathered under quickening rain on Friday (December 2).
"Despite heavy rain, it didn't dampen our will to perform the prayers, in fact it strengthened our faith and devotion," said a protester, Urianto, who goes with one name like many Indonesians.
The protesters demanded that Purnama to be jailed. Purnama is being investigated over comments he made about his opponents' use of the Koran in campaigning, which he had denied wrongdoing and apologized for the remarks.
Police had handed over a dossier from their investigation of his comments to prosecutors this week. The case is expect to take to court in coming weeks.
But the protesters, mainly members from hardline Muslim groups, were not pleased.
"I feel that the case is being dealt unfairly by the authorities and it didn't reflect what the people are requesting," said another protester Mohammad Yasid.
Purnama, an ethnic Chinese popularly known as Ahok, is running for re-election in February against two Muslim candidates.
The contest has generated high political tension for weeks, with rumours of plots to undermine Indonesian President Joko Widodo and scupper his chances of winning a second term in 2019.
Widodo, who is a long-time ally of Purmana, joined the crowd for prayers along with vice President Jusuf Kalla. He has blamed "political actors" for exploiting the popular fury over Purnama to destabilise his government.
On the same day, 10 people who are identified only by their initials, had been detained for alleged treason, police said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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