Nightspots should respect Muslims during Ramadhan<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Muslim leaders responded positively on Wednesday
\nto Governor Sutiyoso's decision to observe the city bylaw which
\nallows nightspots to remain open during Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, Nadjamuddin Ramly, who chairs the
\nMuhammadiyah Youth, and Ridwan Saidi, the former chairman of the
\nIslamic Student Association, said Islam teaches people to respect
\ndifferences.<\/p>\n
They also expressed concern that many people would lose their
\nsource of income if nightspots were closed.<\/p>\n
Nadjamudin said Islam promotes religious tolerance, therefore
\nMuslims are not allowed to force people of different religions to
\nfollow Islamic teachings.<\/p>\n
\"We realize that Jakarta is home to followers of various
\nreligions. That's why we should respect the right of nightspot
\noperators to keep their businesses open,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he called on the business owners to avoid offending
\nMuslims.<\/p>\n
\"The operators should, for example, not be so demonstrative in
\nstaging night-time performances that it will incite the anger of
\npeople who are performing their religious obligations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The 1999 city bylaw stipulates that during the fasting month
\nof Ramadhan amusement centers can open only after the night
\nprayer, at about 7 p.m., and must close before the predawn meal,
\nwhich begins at about 3 a.m.<\/p>\n
While approving the city administration's stance, Ridwan urged
\nall nightspot owners to show tolerance.<\/p>\n
\"They (the operators) should take their environment into
\naccount if they decide to keep their businesses open during the
\nholy month, particularly if the businesses are situated near
\nmosques,\" said Ridwan.<\/p>\n
Ridwan, who also chairs the Muslim-based Masyumi Party, said
\nthe closure of nightspots would only have a negative economic
\nimpact.<\/p>\n
\"We should consider that many people would lose their source
\nof income if the nightspots were closed during Ramadhan. The
\nimpact would be bad if that happened,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Najamudin also suggested the city administration take stern
\nmeasures against nightspot owners who breach the regulations of
\nthe city bylaw. He said a failure to do so would cost the
\nadministration the public's trust.<\/p>\n
\"Any violation of the regulations will trigger the people's
\nanger, therefore the government should be tough with operators
\nwho violate the bylaw,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Objection<\/p>\n
Separately, an executive of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI)
\nexpressed discontent with Sutiyoso's decision, accusing the
\ngovernor of impinging on Muslims' right to perform their
\nreligious obligations.<\/p>\n
\"By issuing the decree, the governor has violated the
\ncountry's fundamental principle of Pancasila, especially the
\nfirst pillar which guarantees the religious practices of
\ncitizens,\" said Djaffar Siddiq, the group's head of militia
\naffairs.<\/p>\n
Djaffar insisted nightspots must close during the holy month,
\nbecause these locations were, according to him, rife with drug
\ndealing.<\/p>\n
\"We don't yet have any plans to occupy these places if they
\nremain open during the holy month. However, the possibilities are
\nwide open,\" he said.<\/p>\n
FPI, known to group Muslim hard-liners, has often attacked
\nnightspots in the capital. It forced the city authorities to ban
\ndiscotheques, night clubs and massage parlors from operating
\nduring the previous Ramadhan after thousands of its members
\nstaged a huge rally at City Hall.<\/p>\n
Nightspot owners, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief
\nfollowing the governor's decision.<\/p>\n
\"Alhamdulillah (Thank God). Last year, we lost 30 to 40
\npercent of our total revenue during the fasting month compared to
\nnormal days. If we are allowed to open during Ramadhan, we can
\nmake more money,\" said Arief Hadianto, operations manager at the
\nHard Rock Cafe. (asa)<\/p>",
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