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Indonesian Muslims Protest at Parliament to Demand Shari'ah Law
JAKARTA, Aug 27 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - Hundreds of members of a Muslim group protested Monday outside Indonesia's parliament, demanding the introduction of Islamic Shari'ah law, news agencies said
Some 500 members of the Front for the Defenders of Islam marched from their headquarters, situated not far from the parliament.
The protesters, dressed in white, and many wearing robes, carried posters and banners demanding that a preface to the constitution include a clause that would introduce Shari'ah law for Muslims.
The clause is known as the "Charter of Jakarta." A similar proposition in the early days of the republic failed to get the necessary endorsement.
"Wanted: parliamentarians who support Shari'ah," said one banner. Another called for "Islamic Shari'ah in line with the Jakarta Chapter."
They also demanded that the clause be discussed by an upcoming annual session of the national assembly, set to begin in November.
The protesters were not allowed into the compound and held a forum outside the gate. Later, about a dozen representatives were allowed inside to meet a house deputy speaker.
The demonstration caused traffic jams on the main road in front of parliament. Several policemen, assisted by some protesters, tried to keep one lane open for traffic.
Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population. Ethnically it is highly diverse, with more than 300 local languages, according to the BBC online archives.
The country has seen unprecedented turmoil over the past four years: the Asian financial crisis, the fall of President Suharto after 32 years in office, the first free elections since the 1960s, the loss of East Timor, independence demands from restive provinces, bloody inter- ethnic and religious conflict, and unending corruption scandals.
Indonesia now faces growing demands for independence among several provinces, where secessionists have been encouraged by East Timor's 1999 success in breaking away after a traumatic 25 years of occupation.
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