ICC Note:

Thousands gathered in support of religious tolerance in Indonesia’s capital on November 19th. Attendees of the peaceful rally voiced their concern over growing religious and ethnic intolerance in the country. Some held signs that said “unity in diversity” and many wore red and white, the colors of the Indonesian flag. There are growing concerns of violence against religious and ethnic minorities by Islamic hardliners. Recent protests organized by the Islamic Defenders Front against Jakarta’s Christian-Chinese governor and the ensuing blasphemy case being brought against him have taken on strong political undertones. There has been speculation that protesters will use the next protest scheduled for November 25th to attempt to force an impeachment of the President. The Islamic Defender’s front maintains strong ties to the former president of Indonesia and the opposing political party.

11/21/2016 Indonesia (Reuters) – 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 world’s largest Muslim-majority 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.”

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