By Agustinus Beo Da Costa
Thousands of Indonesians held a peaceful rally on Saturday to promote unity, saying they were worried by signs of growing racial and religious intolerance in the country.
Dressed in red and white shirts, the colors of the Indonesian flag, religious leaders, members of human rights groups, lawmakers and others marched along a central Jakarta street.
Some held posters with the national motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, which means unity in diversity, while others performed traditional dances.
“This is about diversity, but also about unity. We have to separate politics from ethnicity, religion, and race,” said 25-year old Iwan Saputra. “I want Indonesia to stay united.”
Concerns about rising hardline Islamic sentiment in the country have grown since police decided on Wednesday to investigate a blasphemy complaint by Muslim groups against the Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Purnama Purnama .
More than 100,000 Muslims protested against Ahok earlier this month. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to quell the protest.
“The economy is growing, infrastructure is being built everywhere. Don’t let this all be destroyed just because of ego,” said Saidiman Ahmad, an activist with Liberal Islam Network.
(Writing by Fransiska Nangoy; Editing by Kim Coghill)
