Representatives of the minority Ahmadiya sect as well as mainstream Muslims and Christians gathered in central Jakarta to urge the government to reject a proposed ban on the sect.

'We should try to keep the unity of the people whatever their beliefs. We are all Indonesians,' one of the demonstrators who identified himself only as Nino told Elshinta radio.

The Coordinating Body for Monitoring Religions and Beliefs - a panel set up during the Suharto dictatorship - last month recommended the government ban Ahmadiyah due to its unorthodox Muslim faith.

The group, which has around 200,000 followers in Indonesia and has been established in the country since the 1920s, believes Mohammad was not the final prophet, contradicting a central tenet of Islam.

Tensions have grown since the panel proposed the ban, with some hardline Muslims calling for an immediate crackdown on the sect and a mob setting fire to an Ahmadiyah mosque in West Java.

Twelve men have been charged over the incident and will face trial.

Human rights activists have said the issue raises questions over Indonesia's image as a moderate and tolerant Muslim country which constitutionally guarantees religious freedom. -- AFP