The protests were aimed against the incumbent governor of Jakarta Special Capital Region Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (popularly known as "Ahok") for an alleged blasphemy of the Quran, the Islamic holy book.
National outcry against his perceived misdemeanor had triggered nationwide protests in November 2016 and December 2016, the later culminated in the President of Indonesia Joko Widodo joining the Friday prayer alongside the Islamist leaders such as Muhammad Rizieq Shihab in order to mitigate the heightened tensions.
The protest was coordinated by the Islamic Ummah Forum (FUI) and the National Movement of Fatwa Guards - Majelis Ulama Indonesia (GNPF-MUI).
However, after the meeting of Muhammad Rizieq Shihab, the chairman of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), Wiranto who served the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, and the leaders of the GNPF-MUI, the form of the protest was changed to dhikr (recitation of short religious phrases or prayers) and tausiyah (broadcasting of dawah, the religious proselytizing) at the Istiqlal Mosque.
Responding to the action, the two largest Islamic mass organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah chose not to be involved considering its political implications.