- Title: Thousands of Indonesians rally against racial, religious intolerance
- Date: 19th November 2016
- Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (NOVEMBER 19, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WEARING RED SHIRTS STANDING IN FRONT OF A STAGE MULTIFAITH LEADERS STANDING ON STAGE HAND HOLDING UP A FIST PEOPLE STANDING IN FRONT OFF STAGE PEOPLE HOLDING PLACARDS READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "TREAT INDONESIA AS A COUNTRY OF DIVERSITY" PEOPLE HOLDING INDONESIAN FLAG OVER HEAD MAN FLAGING FLAG INDONESIAN FLAG PEOPLE POSING IN FRONT OF BANNER READING (Bahasa Indonesia): "DON'T TRY TO DISTURB OUR NATION" PEOPLE POSING FOR PHOTOS PEOPLE STANDING BY THE ROAD HOLDING BANNERS PEOPLE HOLDING PLACARDS PLACARDS READING (English): "PRAY FOR PEACE" (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY-GOER FROM SULAWESI PROVINCE, KITTY MANDANG, SAYING: "We are very concerned because our nation is built based on various elements: different religions, culture and language, we must be united, nothing can separate us." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY-GOER FROM JAKARTA, RATI DWI WAHYUNI, SAYING: "Despite having different religions and beliefs, we need to show that we're Indonesian as one." (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) RALLY-GOER FROM JAKARTA, WAHYUGOSAL, SAYING: "I was a bit scared but perhaps this is just part of the dynamic since the (Jakarta governor) election is coming soon and the political discussion is the hottest issue in town, that's why an incident like few weeks ago happened. What happened then was just among a small portion of people who are not happy with what they have now." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING PEOPLE MARCHING TRADITIONAL JAVANESE PUPPET "ONDEL-ONDEL" VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING WITH MASK FROM REOG PONOROGO DANCE VARIOUS OF PEOPLE MARCHING
- Embargoed: 4th December 2016 06:29
- Keywords: Indonesia Jakarta rally Muslim Christian race religion intolerance
- Location: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- City: JAKARTA, INDONESIA
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA00159402F9
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of Indonesians held a peaceful rally on Saturday (November 19) to promote unity, saying they were worried by signs of growing racial and religious intolerance in the world's largest Muslim-majority country.
Dressed in red and white shirts, the colours of the Indonesian flag, religious leaders, members of human rights groups, lawmakers and others gathered in front of the city's landmark, National Monument (MONAS) before marching along a central Jakarta street.
Some held posters with the national motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika", which means "unity in diversity".
"We are very concerned because our nation is built based on various elements: different religions, culture and language, we must be united, nothing can separate us," said Kitty Mandang who travelled from eastern Sulawesi Province to join the rally.
The weekend rally came a week after more than 100,000 Muslims protested against Jakarta's first Christian Governor Basuki Purnama Purnama earlier this month. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to quell the protest.
"I was a bit scared but perhaps this is just part of the dynamic since the (Jakarta governor) election is coming soon and the political discussion is the hottest issue in town, that's why an incident like few weeks ago happened. What happened then was just among a small portion of people who are not happy with what they have now," said Jakarta resident Wahyugosal, who goes with one name like many Indonesians.
Concerns about rising hardline Islamic sentiment in the country of 250 million people have grown since police decided on Wednesday (November 16) to investigate a blasphemy complaint by Muslim groups against the Christian governor of Jakarta.
Some analysts have said the police decision to pursue the case was a blow to democracy as well as diversity.
Indonesia recognises six religions and is home to several minority groups that adhere to traditional beliefs. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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