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Call for unity 60,000 Muslim party members rally in Jakarta

JAKARTA: Some 60,000 followers of Indonesia's Islamic political parties, grouped under a lose "Axis" alliance, rallied in a central Jakarta soccer stadium early on Sunday to call for Muslim unity.

Organiser Umar Al Hamid, addressing the crowd from a huge stage set up in the center of the field, announced the meeting was "not intended to topple anyone" but to forge unity, an AFP reporter at the rally said.

He was referring to a comment allegedly made by Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, himself a moderate Muslim scholar, that the rally was intended to topple his four-month-old government.

A large banner entitled "Axis Force Ñ Forward for United Islam" fluttered overhead as Hamid urged the government to uphold justice, follow a reform agenda and not to allow Indonesia to become dependent on foreign powers.

Security at the rally was light as readings from the Quran were followed by speeches, and members ran around the stadium waving the flags of their parties, which included the United Development Party (PPP), the Justice and Unity Party, the Crescent and Star Party and the National Mandate Party (PAN).

Respected preacher Zainuddin M Z told the crowd, many of whom were white-veiled women: "We have the obligation to support the legitimate government which is chosen by the people".

But he added that "being supportive doesn't mean we have to be involved in the government.

"We as Muslims, each of us has to be a medium to uphold national integrity".

Guests of honour included Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso and Tadjus Sobirin, the head of the Jakarta branch of the secular Golkar Party, which is identified with the 32-year rule of former president Suharto. AFP