Students stage protest over preacher's arrest<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Hundreds of Islamic students staged a protest
\nSaturday over police questioning of a preacher suspected of
\ninciting the recent riots in Pekalongan.<\/p>\n
The protesters, many of them barefooted and wearing sarongs,
\nmassed near the provincial legislative council. Their bid to
\nmarch to the police headquarters was foiled by riot police who
\nclosely watched the demonstration.<\/p>\n
The students demanded that Afifuddin Musytari be cleared of
\ncharges of inciting the recent riots in Pekalongan and his
\ninflammatory remarks that the authorities said were offensive to
\nthe dominant Golkar.<\/p>\n
Chanting slogans and shouting Allahu Akbar (God is Great), the
\ndemonstrators unfurled banners criticizing the police for
\nquestioning Afifuddin and supporting the preacher.<\/p>\n
Coordinator of the demonstration, Zainal Abidin, told The
\nJakarta Post that they represented students from dozens of
\nIslamic schools in Pekalongan, Semarang, and Batang.<\/p>\n
\"We demand the police release Kyai (preacher) Afifuddin
\nbecause he is the victim of slander by someone who has the
\nambition to get a position in the government,\" Zainal said.<\/p>\n
The police suspected Afifuddin, who runs The Holly Alfurqon
\nIslamic boarding school in Semarang, of triggering riots in
\nPekalongan, 400 kilometers east of Jakarta. Pekalongan has been
\ncontinually hit by unrest since March 26.<\/p>\n
The unrest was allegedly sparked by singer Rhoma Irama's
\nchange of party allegiance from the Moslem-oriented United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) to the ruling Golkar and the replacement
\nof PPP banners with Golkar's in the town.<\/p>\n
An angry mob burned down the stage for Rhoma's concert, which
\nwould be attended by President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti
\nHardiyanti Rukmana.<\/p>\n
The incident escalated to a mob of 1,000 people burning and
\ndamaging property and 60 buildings belonging mainly to ethnic
\nChinese. Eight people were injured in scuffles with security
\nofficers.<\/p>\n
Thirty people have been sentenced to probational terms ranging
\nfrom three days to three months for their involvement in the
\nMarch 26 riot.<\/p>\n
After demonstrating at the council, the students marched to
\nthe provincial police headquarters.<\/p>\n
But they were blocked by riot police, who convinced them to
\ndisperse because irresponsible people could infiltrate them and
\nspark violence.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of police in anti-riot gear were seen on full alert
\nin the streets in anticipation of violence. Dogs and dozens of
\npolice patrol cars were used to block the entrance to the
\nheadquarters.<\/p>\n
A Pekalongan student, Absori, was permitted to enter the
\npolice headquarters and submit a 180-page petition signed by
\n4,300 Pekalongan residents, who insisted that Afifuddin was not
\nthe one who incited the riots.<\/p>\n
A police officer who received the petition said it was the
\nsecond petition submitted by the residents.<\/p>\n
The students prayed at the Baiturahman Mosque before they
\npeacefully dispersed.<\/p>\n
Afifuddin was interrogated for the third time Saturday. The
\nquestioning will continue today.<\/p>\n
Afifuddin was declared a suspect after a Semarang lawyer,
\nJawade Hafidz, filed a complaint with the police about his
\ninflammatory preaching.<\/p>\n
Jawade said that following his report to the police, he was
\noften terrorized by anonymous callers.<\/p>\n
\"They (callers) shouted dirty words at me and threatened me.
\nBut I was calm because I trust in the security officers and
\nsupremacy of the law,\" Jawade told the Post. (05\/Har)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/students-stage-protest-over-preachers-arrest-1447893297",
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