Action of Islamic Defenders 313 Held in History Today, March 31, 2017

History today, nine years ago, March 31, 2017, the Islamic Community Forum (FUI) held a 212 Islamic defense action in the Istiqlal Mosque area. The action was held to demand the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) who insulted the religion of Islam to be removed from his post.

Previously, the case of Ahok's tongue slipping using the verse of the Quran brought about a commotion. Ahok was considered a blasphemer. This condition made Muslims angry. Islamic defense actions then appeared everywhere. They demanded Ahok in prison.

There is no doubt about Ahok's existence as Governor of DKI Jakarta. He is considered a leader who has achieved success. He is able to organize bureaucracy. He is also able to beautify Jakarta. This condition makes many people want to see him lead Jakarta for longer.

Ahok is also ready to participate in the 2017 DKI Jakarta Regional Election. However, Ahok's path is not easy. Ahok was caught slipping his tongue when he gave a speech on the Thousand Islands in September 2016. Ahok appealed to the people of Jakarta to choose leaders according to their conscience, regardless of their religion.

Ahok revealed that Jakarta residents should not be lied to with the letter Al Maidah 51. A letter containing the message of choosing a leader must be a believer. The disaster came. Ahok's speech was seen as blasphemy.

Many consider Ahok to have said Al Maidah as a tool to lie to residents. This condition made all Muslims angry. Ahok's popularity, which was previously high, began to decrease. Ulama from various mass organizations began to demand Ahok in the court.

The government also seemed not to hear. This situation made the anger of Muslims peak. Law enforcement officers were asked to immediately imprison Ahok. The insistence then gave rise to Islamic defense actions in which 212 actions of all kinds were carried out.

The action of defending Islam is a manifestation of the strength of Muslims in Indonesia. The action was attended by Muslims from various regions of the archipelago. The streets in the center of Jakarta were full.

"In Action 212, a political-religious movement that later emerged as a reaction to a statement made by the Governor, Ahok. Ahok's statement was considered blasphemy. Ahok is a Christian who is seen by many participants in Action 212 as a threat to their religious values and feelings."

"The 212 Action Movement, then, was developed to warn Muslims of threats and inform them of the background and positions of various positions of potential regional leaders," Ismet Fanany and Rebecca Fanany said in the book Populism, Democracy and Community Development (2020).

The case of blasphemy against Ahok then received high attention. Law enforcement agencies began to designate Ahok as a suspect. The government also confirmed that Ahok's trial would be held soon. Ahok's status was then DKI Jakarta Governor inactive.

The problem is that not many are satisfied with the development of Ahok's status. Take the example of FUI. FUI feels that the government must immediately remove Ahok from his position as Governor of DKI Jakarta. This narrative then became an important part of the 313 action held by FUI on March 31, 2017.

The Istiqlal Mosque area became a gathering point. The participants demanded that Ahok be removed from his position as Governor of DKI Jakarta. They also demanded that the government immediately imprison Ahok because he was a defendant. Even though the action was not as large as the previous one: 212.

Even so, large organizations such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chose not to participate in the action. This condition is because both organizations feel that the government has fulfilled its obligation to punish Ahok. So, the purpose of the action is considered unclear. Not to mention the organizers are considered unclear even though there is a Front Pembela Islam (FPI) in it.

"I am the Chairman of the Islamic Community Organization Friendship Institution. There are 12 organizations (which are included). There is Al Irsyad, PITI, Mathlaul Anwar, and others. I forbid the members of the organization to participate in the demo (313). What is FUI? What is the organization? Which Muslims? LPOI is not under FUI. Moreover, NU," said the General Chairman of the PBN, Said Aqil Siroj as quoted by the NU Online page, March 31, 2017.