Denpasar – Nearly 200 followers of different religions yesterday staged a rally in Denpasar, capital city of the resort island of Bali, calling for an end to religious violence and ethnic unrest that has hit several parts of the country over the past year.

Calling their rally the Holy Road to Peace, the crowd marched down the main streets of Denpasar and stopped at the Jagatnata Shrine. Dressed in traditional garments, the followers of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and Confucianism joined together for a mass prayer led by Hindu preacher Gedong Bagoes Oka. The rally also featured a traditional Chinese dragon dance, which was performed outside the residence of Bali Governor Dewa Beratha.

We invite followers of all religions to campaign for peace, so there will be no more violence. This is not a demonstration, but a holy journey to overcome religious and ethnic exclusivism, said Gus Indra, coordinator of the rally.

He urged all politicians and legislators to heed the peoples aspirations and stop promoting their personal interests, as such action tends to provoke conflict. There must be love of the homeland and its people for the sake of peace in this country, he said.

Gedong Bagus Oka said the rally aimed to remind the public that the essence of life is not material things, but the human spirit. We must keep this spirit burning. With the current condition of the nation, many people who want to see peace are desperate. We remind them not to be desperate, said Gedong.

Indonesia has been hit by communal violence and religious unrest over ights/law