About a thousand Muslims rallied in Indonesia's capital yesterday to support a proposed law banning pornography and obscene acts that critics say is a threat to the secular and moderate traditions of the world's most populous Muslim nation.
The protesters, including many women and young children, chanted ``We refuse pornography!'' as they gathered under gloomy skies in Jakarta to press parliament to pass the bill, which is supported by conservative Islamic politicians and preachers.
"Those who only see this issue from a human rights, liberal and secular point of view are trying to disrupt efforts to curb pornography," said Maruf Amin, a member of Indonesia's council of clerics.
The bill bans pornography and calls for prison terms and fines for kissing in public, exposure of a woman's "sensual" body parts and the display of "erotic" artworks.
Some women's and human- rights groups say the bill would be a serious blow for rights and artistic freedoms, and is an attempt to impose elements of Islamic Shariah law in the country.
Amin, however, said activists "only want to limit those [artists]) who tend toward obscene acts, which carry enormous social costs."
The vague terminology used in the bill has led to fears that traditional dancing, skimpy clothing and even bathing in rivers could be declared illegal.
The country already has laws banning pornography, and critics say police should simply enforce them better.
Currently, pornographic video disks are sold in markets around the country.
A recent plan to launch a local version of Playboy magazine has helped galvanize support for the anti-pornography bill.
"With or without the bill, we refuse Playboy magazine," Amin told supporters yesterday.
"The magazine is an icon of pornography. If they insist on publishing, we will hold rallies until they back down," Amin said.
The publishers selected to print and distribute the Indonesian edition of the magazine have said it will respect Muslim values and not feature any nudity.
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