Jakarta - Indonesian police appealed on
Thursday for tolerance and respect for other people's religious
celebrations after an Islamist group threatened to raid
businesses to check for Muslims being forced to wear Santa Claus
hats or other Christmas garb.
The hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) said this week it
would conduct "sweeping operations" in the world's biggest
Muslim-majority country, and that forcing Muslims to wear
Christmas attire was a violation of their human rights.
Indonesia is home to several religious minorities, including
Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and people who follow traditional
beliefs.
The constitution guarantees freedom of religion in an
officially secular state though tension between followers of
different faiths can flare.
"There can be no sweeping operations ... members of the
public should respect other religions that are carrying out
celebrations," national police chief Tito Karnavian told police
during a security exercise in the capital, Jakarta.
The FPI said it aimed to enforce a fatwa, or decree, issued
by Indonesia's Islamic Clerical Council in 2016 prohibiting
business owners from forcing employees to wear Christmas
clothing.
"We will raid businesses in anticipation of them being
stubborn about this and we will be accompanied by police," said
Novel Bakmukmin, head of the FPI's Jakarta chapter.
Employers forcing staff to wear Christmas clothes were
violating their rights.
"Businesses should be aware that there should be no
forcing," he said.
The Islamic Clerical Council's decrees are not legally
binding but serve as guidelines for Indonesian Muslims.
Christmas is widely celebrated across Indonesia and holiday
decorations are ubiquitous, especially at shops, restaurants and
malls where many enthusiastic workers - even Muslims - don Santa
hats or elf costumes.
The FPI built its reputation with raids on restaurants and
bars serving alcohol during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
In recent years, it has turned its attention to Christian
celebrations.
The group has also said it wants the Jakarta city government
to stop sponsoring New Year celebrations, which attract many
thousands of people.
About 90 000 police officers will be on duty cross the
country during the end-of-year holidays, in an operation largely
aimed at preventing militant attacks.
Attacks on churches in Jakarta and elsewhere on Christmas
Eve in 2000, killed nearly 20 people. Ever since, authorities
have stepped up security at churches and tourist spots for the
holiday.