Governor to quiz mayor on Muslim attire directive<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso looked surprised on Tuesday upon learning that
\nthe West Jakarta mayor had instructed students to wear Muslim
\nattire on Fridays, saying he would ask the mayor to explain the
\ncontroversial directive.<\/p>\n
\"I will phone him (the mayor) and ask what he wants with his
\ninstruction. I have yet to read the instruction even though it
\nwas written six month ago,\" Sutiyoso told reporters at City Hall.<\/p>\n
He was referring to instruction No.1\/2001 signed by Mayor
\nSarimun Hadisaputro. It is titled \"Activity program to improve
\nfaith and belief in God and good behavior in public schools in
\nWest Jakarta.\"<\/p>\n
A copy of the instruction was apparently sent to the governor,
\nbut Sutiyoso said he had not read it. He then asked The Jakarta
\nPost for a copy.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the instruction should be revoked due its
\ncontroversy, Sutiyoso said, \"I cannot decide, I should first ask
\nthe mayor.\"<\/p>\n
Several legal experts have criticized the instruction, saying
\nthat to oblige students to wear Muslim attire on Fridays was
\nunconstitutional and violated human rights.<\/p>\n
The experts, including lawyer and women's activist Nurjahbani
\nKatjasungkana and human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis, also
\ndoubted that the instruction would achieve its goal to improve
\nstudents' faith and behavior.<\/p>\n
They regretted that the mayoralty had attempted to intervene
\nin people's private affairs in a society known for its pluralism.<\/p>\n
Many Muslim students have said that having to dress
\ndifferently from non-Muslim students who wear school uniform
\nmakes them uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Amid public protest, West Jakarta Deputy Mayor Amiruddin S.
\nLubis denied on Monday that the mayoralty obligated students to
\nwear Muslim dress.<\/p>\n
\"It was just advice from the mayoralty, not an instruction,\"
\nAmiruddin said.<\/p>\n
He claimed that students were expected to dress decently
\ninstead of wearing miniskirts, which he claimed girls often wore
\nto school.<\/p>\n
According to the instruction, students are also obliged to
\nperform various activities, including praying before class.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/governor-to-quiz-mayor-on-muslim-attire-directive-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}