UPDATE - Huge crowds gather to call for Jakarta governor probe

*UPDATES THROUGHOUT AND TO ADD PICS

By Ainur Rohmah

JAKARTA (AA) - Thousands of people have gathered in front off Indonesia's State Palace after Friday prayers to demand police investigate alleged blasphemy by the governor of Jakarta.

After around 100,000 people dressed in white, many brandishing the flags of Islamic organizations, swarmed the streets in front of the building, representatives were invited into its compound to discuss their demands.

Rally leaders, including cleric Bachtiar Nasir, reappeared, however, a few minutes later saying that they were not able to meet President Joko Widodo in person.

“I can’t [go on]. I’m just a messenger,” the Jakarta Post quoted Nasir as saying.

He added that he would consult with other leaders to decide if they would agree to meet with Coordinating Minister for Legal, Politics and Security Affairs Wiranto, or not.

Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama is accused of publicly insulting Islam, however Ahok -- as he is more frequently known -- says he was calling for people not to be “deceived” by those using a Quranic verse, Al Maidah: Chapter 51, not that the verse itself was insulting.

News site Detik.com quoted the head of the Islamic Defender Front as stating Friday that enforcing the law is an obligation.

"The president should issue instructions on this condition, in order for Ahok to be arrested now," Rizieq Shihab said in a speech in front of the thousands.

Shihab said that if Widodo did not listen to their demands, the protesters would not move.

"If Ahok is not captured, we will stay at the palace. Takbir!" Rizieq shouted, as the gathered masses repeated "Allahu Akbar!"

Police have granted protesters a permit to stage the rally until 6 p.m. (1000GMT).