Thousands of Indonesian Muslims protest ahead of Jerusalem US embassy move

Thousands of Indonesian Muslims have staged a rally protesting against President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, ahead of next week’s US Embassy relocation to the city.

About 5,000 people flocked to Jakarta’s landmark National Monument and unfurled Indonesian and Palestinian flags.

On Monday, the US plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, five months after Mr Trump recognised it as Israel’s capital. Palestinians also claim it as their capital.

“We, the Muslims, oppose all forms of colonialism and oppression of the Palestinians,” said a speaker standing on a car, greeted with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” (“God is Great”).

The protest was organised by a new umbrella group that includes the influential government-sanctioned Indonesian Ulema Council and some hard-line groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front – known by its Indonesian acronym FPI.

FPI has a long record of hurling stones at Western embassies and attacking rival religious groups.

“Indonesia strongly condemns (Trump’s) decision,” Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said in his speech on Friday before a trilateral clerical meeting between Afghanistan, Indonesia and Pakistan.

“Therefore I urge the (UN) Security Council and the General Assembly to discuss the issue and take further steps.”

The protesters performed Friday prayers at the monument before dispersing.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, does not have diplomatic ties withIsrael and has long been a strong supporter of Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

YouTube video showing the demonstration: