Jakarta – Police blockaded the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in Banda Aceh to prevent 5,000 people from attending a mass prayer held by the Aceh Referendum Information Center (SIRA) on Friday, El Shinta radio station reported.

Organizing committee member Naziruddin said police claimed SIRA would present "provocative political preaching" during the sermon. "It's only a Friday sermon, why should the police politicize everything," he said, adding that SIRA would insist on conducting the sermon.

A local councillor criticized the police, saying they had no right to ban people from entering the mosque for prayer.

SIRA has asked Jakarta to conduct a referendum for Acehnese to prevent continuous violence in the province.