01 Nov 2018 | 07:49 PM UTC
Indonesia: Mass rally planned in Central Jakarta November 2
A second “Defend Tawhid” rally is planned in Central Jakarta November 2; heightened security presence and increased transportation disruptions anticipated
Event
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to participate in a "Defend Tawhid" march in Central Jakarta on Friday, November 2. The rally marks the second such march to be held in recent weeks and is slated to proceed from the Istiqlal Mosque to the Merdeka Palace following Friday prayers. A heightened security presence and transportation disruptions are to be anticipated near the Istiqlal Mosque, the Merdeka Palace, and the National Monument.
Context
The planned rally follows a related October 26 protest. The protests are reportedly in response to a video on social media depicting the burning of a flag of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an Islamist organization. Indonesia is also undergoing its campaign season, with both frontrunner tickets seeking to gain votes from Islamist and religious groups in the country.
Advice
Individuals in Jakarta are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate increased security presence and transportation disruptions in the vicinity of the protests, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, and avoid discussing political topics in public.
