Central Jakarta is going to be especially busy tonight as two separate mass prayer events have been scheduled to take place concurrently at Monas (National Monument).
According to reports, one of the mass prayers is being held the The Greater Jakarta (DKI Jakarta) chapter of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which organizers say will be attended by thousands of ulemas, religious figures, and Muslims from all over the capital.
At the same time and place, the 212 movement — an umbrella group of hardline Islamic organizations named for the massive 2/12/2016 protest against former Jakarta Governor Basuki “BTP” Tjahaja Purnama — is also holding a mass prayer event because of today’s date.
Despite the apparent similarities in their events, MUI seems keen on distancing themselves from the 212 movement, saying that their event is a moment for introspection and reuniting Indonesians of all races and creed.
“There’s no [correlation with the 212 movement], this event is organized by MUI DKI,” said the group’s communications and information secretary, Nanda Khairiyah, as quoted by Detik today.
While the seemingly random choice of date for MUI’s mass prayers have led to some suspicions that their event is also being led or being done in support of the Islamic hardliner cause, MUI says they chose to do their event on 21/2 in order to neutralize the politicization of the date.
“So why 212? [MUI’s mass prayer is being held on] February 21 because that number holds great significance to our people. Now MUI, as a neutral organization, is worried that the momentum is going to be taken advantage of. So, instead of others holding the event, it’s better that MUI holds it,” Nanda said.
Meanwhile, 212’s mass prayer will feature members of hardline groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Sons of Betawi Communication Forum (Forkabi), and GNPF Ulama. Renowned and controversial, religious figures from their ranks, such as firebrand cleric Habib Bahar bin Smith, are expected to attend.
The mass prayer events are expected to last until 10 pm. Authorities are closing off several major roads in the area, such as Medan Merdeka Utara, Medan Merdeka Barat and Majapahit to prevent overcrowding in the business district.
Monas has been the go-to venue for mass events organized by the 212 movement. Other than the original 212 anti-Ahok mass protest in 2016, the group has held several other large protests since, including an anniversary of the original protest in December last year.
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