JAKARTA -- On Dec. 2, Islamist groups organized the largest demonstration that Indonesia has witnessed since the overthrow of President Suharto in 1998 to urge the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama -- popularly known as Ahok -- for blasphemy after he allegedly misrepresented the Quran.
Approximately one million people weathered a monsoon storm to participate peacefully in what was billed as a "Rally to Defend Islam" as they held a huge outdoor Friday prayer congregation.
