by Mathias Hariyadi

The leader of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the largest moderate Muslim organization in the country, condemns the violence and attacks on embassies in other countries. Muslims have a right to protest, but must do so through other channels. Jakarta tightens security around the embassies and closes down Youtube.

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.

 

 

• indonesia
• islam
• film
• protests
• moderate
• calm
• tension
• outube
• relugious
• tolerance