- JAKARTA: Hundreds of Muslims have held a noisy but peaceful rally in Indonesia’s capital to demand the government outlaw a sect that calls itself Islamic, but which they consider heretical.
Nearly 1,500 white-robed protesters gathered Saturday, days after a court sentenced 12 men to less than six months in jail for lynching three Ahmahdiyah sect members.
Some held placards Saturday that said “Disband Ahmadiyah or Revolution.”
Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim and secular nation of 240 million, has a long history of religious tolerance.
Critics said the light sentences given to 12 men caught on video taking part in February’s frenzied mob attack on Ahmadiyah members sent a “chilling” message about growing religious intolerance.
