Protests over Muhammad video: Indonesia’s moderate Muslims call for calm
Jakarta
(AsiaNews) - The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest moderate Islamic
organization in the country has responded to protests against the blasphemous
film about Muhammad and is calling on all Indonesian Muslims to remain calm.
"We
can not hide our criticism - said Said Agil Siradj, NU President - we strongly
oppose any message, word, or video image against our prophets, Moses, Isaac,
Jesus and Muhammad. It's Morally wrong to spread these feelings of hatred
against Muslims pushing Islam to respond with equal hatred. Faced with a crowd
of young Muslims in Ciberon (West Java), the NU leader, however, invited those
present to choose a different way of expressing their dissent for these offenses:
"There is no need to lash out at the diplomatic missions of other
countries and commit acts of vandalism. The
protest can be done in a peaceful manner and through other appropriate channels".
Meanwhile,
in Jakarta authorities have increased security around foreign embassies, prepared
for possible attacks by Islamic extremists. Despite
various events across the country, the situation is calm. Yesterday
Hibuth Tahrir, the radical Muslim group organized a peaceful protest in central
Jakarta heading in procession to the Embassy of the United States. To
avoid emulations and prevent radical leaders fomenting hatred, the government
blocked access to YouTube and put social networks under strict surveillance.