REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Chairman of Advisory Board of the National Movement to Guard the Indonesian Council of Ulama's Fatwa (GNPF MUI), Muhammad Habib Rizieq Syihab, said that the Action Defend Islam III (212 rally) was held with some compromises. 

The original plan changed in order to fullfill the demand from the authority. "We could not have Friday prayer across the General Sudirman Street-MH Thamrin Street, but the authority allow us to move the peaceful rally to National Monument (Monas) area," Rizieq said.

GNPF MUI agreed to have rally centralized at Monas area with some conditions, among others opening all gates in Monas, provide additional doors and fences and provide a lot of toilets. 

On the discussion, GNPF MUI demanded to get permission to set the row of prayer, called ‘shaf’. “They required that the ‘shaf’ was not connected to Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI). We invited MUI and Ministry of Religious Affairs to determine the direction of Qibla. It was a blessing in disguise. We were not allowed to conduct the prayer in HI Roundabout, but the end of the row of worshippers reached HI Roundabout,” Rizieq said. 

The authority asked GNPF MUI to alllow the government to accommodate the stage and to provide loudspeakers. Meanwhile, the authority give trust to GNPF MUI to organize and select public figure who should speak at 212 rally. One should not hit the stage without GNPF MUI's permission. 

According to Rizieq, there were some people wanted to perform, but their request could not be granted. GNPF MUI afraid there would be a distortion of the rally. “All requirements were fulfilled. Alhamdulillah,” said Rizieq.