Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The administration of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has been trying to reach out to as many Islamic organizations as possible to prevent another large-scale rally in the capital to push for the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaha Purnama for alleged blasphemy, but an analyst says the move comes too late.

On Friday, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu initiated a friendly gathering with several Muslim figures during which he called on Muslims to set an example in maintaining harmony among religious groups in the country.

"As Muslims we are bound to uphold Islamic teachings of the Quran and hadith; however, as good citizens we shall obey all laws and regulations to protect the unity of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia," Ryamizard said in his keynote speech.

Muslim groups staged a massive demonstration in Jakarta on Nov. 4, calling on the National Police to prosecute Ahok. The rally almost brought the capital to a standstill and forced President Jokowi to postpone a planned visit to Sydney and Canberra.

The President has since met with several Muslim leaders in a bid to calm the anger of some Muslims who feel offended by Ahok's statement about the Quran.

The authorities have received information that another large-scale rally is set to be held on Nov. 25. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said that he was aware of the planned rally and that his force would prepare for it.

Representatives of the nation's two largest Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, attended the gathering at Ryamizard's office. The firebrand leader of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), Rizieq Shihab, was invited to the meeting as well but failed to show up.

Former NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi, now a member of the Presidential Advisory Board, called on Muslims who felt offended by Ahok's statement to focus only on the blasphemy allegation and not politicize the issue.

"If what [Muslim communities] want is justice and a legal process [against Ahok], stay on that focal point. It's citizens' right to ask for legal certainty from the state, and the latter has a responsibility to fulfill that right," Hasyim said.

The principal of Islamic boarding school Az-Zikra, Ahmad Raodl Bahar, who also attended the event, criticized the government for showing a will to approach and strengthen ties with Muslim communities only after tensions had arisen over Ahok's blasphemy case, saying that what Muslims wanted now was that justice be upheld. "If justice is not upheld, the tensions will not ease off," he warned.

The government's moves to alleviate tensions by approaching Muslim groups came too late, and Jokowi had missed the momentum to control the situation, said Hendri Satrio, a political analyst from Paramadina University.

Jokowi should have seized the momentum of last Friday's rally to reduce the tension, he said, adding that Jokowi's decision to refuse to meet the protesters had worsened the situation.

Ryamizard denied he had reached out to Muslim groups only to prevent another major rally in Jakarta. "My relationship with Islamic figures continues with or without problems [...] whether there is an issue or not, it's my responsibility as the defense minister to guard the nation's security," he said.

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/11/12/govt-s-muslim-outreach-may-come-too-late.html