Indonesians rally for tolerance after blasphemy protests

This aerial view shows Indonesian Muslims fill the streets around the National Monument during a rally against Jakarta’s minority Christian Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama who is being prosecuted for blasphemy, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016. AP

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Thousands of Indonesians are rallying in the center of the capital Jakarta, calling for tolerance and unity after massive protests by conservative Muslims against the city’s minority Christian governor.

The crowds filled a major traffic circle in the heart of the city on Sunday and sprawled into its main thoroughfares.

The demonstrators waved “We Are Indonesia” signs and a giant red-and-white national flag was held aloft by hundreds of people.

Jakarta has been rocked in the past month by two major protests against Gov. Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who is being prosecuted for alleged blasphemy.

A demonstration against him on Friday drew at least 200,000 people. An anti-Ahok protest on Nov. 4 attracted at least 100,000 people and turned violent. CBB/rga