Suherdjoko, Semarang, Central Java – A mass rally attended by around 3,000 people to show solidarity to Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar ran safely and peacefully on Friday.
Centered at An-Nuur Mosque in Mungkid, Magelang regency, Central Java, the rally saw no security disruptions and was attended by people from various areas across Java.
Around 2,800 National Police members, supported by personnel from the Indonesian Military and other security units, tightly secured the solidarity action.
After performing Friday prayers, representatives of the rally's participants read out a joint statement, in which they called for an end to violence against the Rohingya people. They ended the demonstration by praying for the safety of their Muslim brothers and sisters in the Rakhine state.
The rally's participants left the An-Nuur Mosque one at a time with tight escort from security officers.
As previously reported, Muslim groups planned to stage a Rohingya solidarity rally at the Borobudur Temple area, which is only around two kilometers from the An-Nuur Mosque. The Central Java Police later asked them to move their rally to the mosque, which is located on Jl.Soekarno-Hatta, Mungkid.
"I come here to express my support and empathy to the Rohingya people," said Hariyadi, a rally participant.
Although the rally plan once triggered worries about security disruptions, the Borobudur Temple was open on Friday. Both local and foreign tourists could enjoy the beauty of the Buddhist temple without experiencing any security problems.
In their security precautions, the police designated Borobudur Temple as the highest security area, called Ring 1. The An-Nuur Mosque was designated Ring 2. (ebf)