<p>Religious leaders called for a peaceful convoy, which was secured by 1,600 members of the Indonesian police and military. By Yenny Herawati for Khabar Southeast Asia in Madiun, East Java September 14, 2012</p><p>Pencak Silat is an Indonesian martial art which remains very popular in East Java. Featuring skills that were important for hunting in the past, it is now primarily used for self-defense and exercise by practitioners who call themselves "warriors."</p><p>Each year after Idul Fitri, an organised convoy of pencak silat participants encircles the city in what is intended to be a demonstration of respect for its residents. It is also a way of expressing the concept of silaturahmi, or friendship.</p><p>In the past, however, the mood has sometimes been tarnished by violence. The number of participants is high and conflicts sometimes break out.</p><p><a href="http://www.khabarsoutheastasia.com/en_GB/articles/apwi/articles/features/2012/09/14/feature-02">Keep reading...</a></p>