Jakarta – Military chief Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo joined an istigasah, or a public prayer, at the National Monument in Central Jakarta along with tens of thousands of other Muslims, most of them active military and police officers.

The public prayer, which started at 07.00 a.m. on Friday, was organized by the military and the police to send a clear signal to the public that the institutions are ready to keep peace, unity and security in the country. National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian was also present at the prayer.

More than 30,000 people attended the prayer, 22,000 of them officers from the military and the police. The organizers also invited 5,000 orphans and 3,000 members of the public.

The police and the military are bracing themselves for a third protest against Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, rumored to take place on Nov. 25 or Dec. 2. The prayer at Monas was led by cleric Arifin Ilham and Habib Nabil Al-Musyafah.

Gatot said the Indonesian military (TNI) will not hesitate to act to punish people who want to break up the nation. "Our number one duty is to keep the Republic of Indonesia united," Gatot said.

Similar prayers were also held at the Jakarta Cathedral, the seat of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Jakarta, and at the Immanuel Church, one of the oldest Protestant churches in Indonesia.

Another prayer was also held at the Cijantung military base in East Jakarta for Hindu police and military officers.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/military-police-call-unity-series-public-prayers-jakarta/