KABUL/JAKARTA: Thousands of protesters in Muslim-majority countries in Asia rallied on Friday to condemn the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as authorities tightened security outside US embassies.

Leaders in Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan have joined a global chorus of condemnation of President Donald Trump’s decision.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Afghanistan’s capital with placards, effigies of Trump and at least one burning US flag.

“Death to America! Death to Trump and Israel!” the crowds chanted.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, a staunch US ally, has not commented on the Trump decision.

In Indonesia, a few hundred demonstrators mostly clad in white rallied outside the US embassy in Jakarta, capital of the world’s biggest Muslim-majority country.

Some wore checkered scarves and waved Palestinian flags.

“We’re standing here in the name of justice and humanity. We’ve gathered to defend our Palestinian brothers and sisters,” said one rally leader in Jakarta.

In Indonesia, several demonstrators burned the US flag in front of the embassy in Jakarta while they carried banners and emblems of Palestine, condemning Trump’s Wednesday announcement, Efe news reported.

“Nahdlatul Ulama condemns the US and Israel for invading Jerusalem,” read one of the placards in the protests.

Nahdlatul Ulama is the largest independent Islamic organisation in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest population of Muslims.

Jakarta police spokesperson Argo Yuwono said some 500 people had gathered in the capital. No major incident or clashes were reported.

Another group gathered in front of the US consulate in Surabaya, the second-largest city in the country.

‘ILLEGAL ANNOUNCEMENT’

Trump said on Wednesday the United States would move its embassy to Jerusalem in the coming years.

Protests have erupted in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as the hardliner group Hamas urged Palestinians to launch a fresh uprising against Israel.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the thorniest barriers to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. Its eastern sector was captured by Israel in a 1967 war and annexed in a move not recognised internationally.

Palestinians claim East Jerusalem for the capital of an independent state they seek.

In Malaysia, protesters gathered in front of the American embassy in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.

“Mr President, this is an illegal announcement. Jerusalem is an occupied territory,” Minister for Youth and Sports Khairy Jamaluddin said through a loudspeaker towards the embassy.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Thursday called on Muslims worldwide to strongly oppose any recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

‘IDIOT TRUMP’

About 3,000 people in Bangladesh gathered in front of the main mosque in the capital, Dhaka, to protest.

In Pakistan’s major cities, hundreds of Muslims rallied in small groups.

“Down with America, down with Israel and no to Israel occupation,” chanted protesters in the cities of Lahore and Peshawar.

Controversial Pakistani cleric Hafiz Saeed promised bigger protests over Jerusalem and urged the government to convene a conference of Muslim-majority states.

Agencies