REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Some 8.5 thousand people have joined the "171717" mass prayers at Plaza square, the Indonesian military headquarters in Cilangkap, East Jakarta, on Thursday, to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the country's independence.
Thousands of military personnel and civilians flocked the military headquarters since 04.00 p.m. to participate in the mass prayers, Antara reported at the military headquarters.
The mass prayer was initiated by the Military Chief General Gatot Nurmantyo and participated by military personnel, religious leaders, and students of Islamic schools.
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) Ma'ruf Amin also attended the event.
The organizer had also prepared some locations for mass prayers for other religions too, including the Indonesian Air Force Plaza for Christians, Ade Shaka Dharma of the Indonesian Navy headquarters for Hindus, and the Army information center for Buddhists.
The mass prayers would be held for an hour from 05.00 p.m. to 06.00 p.m. local time.
Muslim participants would recite the Holy Quran together, while prayers of Christians, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists and Konghucus followers would be led by religious leaders of each.
Previously, a spokesman of the Indonesian Military Major General Wuryanto noted that the nation would pray for more love and peace in Indonesia, with the spirit of diversity in unity.
The mass prayers would also be held simultaneously in other regions across the country.
"Let us pray to God sincerely. Hopefully, we can live with more love and peace," Wuryanto remarked.
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