Demonstrators Hold Friday Prayers At The Horse Statue, Residents: 'Is This An Anniversary Or Oration?'

Masses of demonstrations held Friday prayers at the Monas Horse Statue/ Photo: Rizky Sulistio/ VOI

JAKARTA - Several residents who wanted to perform Friday prayers were forced to cancel their intention to pray at the Istiqlal Mosque, Sawah Besar District, Central Jakarta, Friday, April 19, afternoon.

The reason is, their vehicle was stuck in traffic while crossing Jalan Budi Kemuliaan, Gambir District, Central Jakarta.

Then, they were directed to join Friday prayers with a mass group of demonstrations 'Joint Actions Demanding the Constitutional Court to be Fair and True'.

The youths also joined the ranks of hundreds of people who held Friday prayers on Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat, the Horse Statue of Monas, Central Jakarta, Friday, April 19, afternoon.

However, when listening to lectures, the young men were disappointed because the lectures they heard did not cool their hearts. They finally left the ranks of Friday prayers.

"I just feel strange, actually this is a sermon or oration. How come it seems that Islam is playing around with this. It doesn't fit this, bro, I'm afraid. I don't want to be part of people who play this religion," said Agung, one of the local residents.

Agung said that he actually wanted to pray at the Istiqlal Mosque with his friends. However, because he was stuck in traffic and was late, he finally joined the demonstrators.

"I heard what the contents of the sermon looked like. I don't think it's necessary, I don't choose anyone but it's not like this. Pray, pray, don't mix with politics," he said.

"The content of the sermons offended the camps, so it was a bit uncomfortable. I was a little disappointed. I don't know (this is a political agenda) because I wanted to go to Istiqlal, someone happened to direct the prayers here," he added.

After Friday's Prayers were completed, the masses resumed the demonstration which was attended by a number of other elements of Islamic organizations.