Feriawan Hidayat, Jakarta – The Mosque Management Organization of the Jakarta Chapter of Nahdlatul Ulama, known as LTM PWNU Jakarta, called on all mosques in the capital city deny accommodations to participants of the May 22 rally.

Husni Muhsin, chairman of NU's arm that manages about 7,000 mosques in Jakarta said the organization has released a circular letter forbidding mosque organizers under its supervision to accommodate participants of the planned mass rally.

"With this, the LTM PWNU Jakarta instructs to all chapters of NU in Jakarta to inform all the mosque takmir [managers] under NU to reject people seeking to stay overnight in the mosque to attend a rally in front of the General Elections Commission [KPU] headquarters," Husni said in a statement on Tuesday.

Husni said mosques should only be used for praying or religious activities and must be free of politics. "We must maintain the sanctity of [our] mosques from political interests, especially during the month of Ramadan," Husni said.

"Mosque congregates are also expected to maintain security and peace at their respected areas and help prevent any social disturbance that could lead to division of the nation," he added.

Law enforcement are put under red alert until the weekend, in anticipation of the protest by Prabowo supporters which could potentially lead to conflict.

The National Police said it would allow supporters of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto to rally and express their disappointment with the election results on the condition that protestors disperse after the Ramadan evening prayer, or tarawih, which usually ends at around 9 p.m.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/context/mosque-organizer-under-nu-forbids-rally-goers-to-stay-overnight