Thoughts on Ramadhan<\/p>\n
The Muslim holy month of Ramadhan in nearing, one of the best
\ntimes for contemplation for Muslims. Muslims the world over have
\nbeen observing Ramadhan for centuries and the holy month is
\nbelieved to be able to spiritually enrich them. During the month
\nof Ramadhan they also enjoy a deep sense of happiness that
\nclimaxes with the day of victory, Idul Fitri.<\/p>\n
Indisputably, therefore, Ramadhan and Idul Fitri are very
\nspecial occasions for Muslims. As was also the case last year,
\nhowever, this year's Ramadhan and Idul Fitri might be a rather
\nbleak season for people working at nightspots, amusement centers
\nand massage parlors in Jakarta, as their places of work are not
\nallowed to operate.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration, through Decree No. 108, dated Nov.
\n13, 2001, bans nightclubs, discotheques, bars, saunas and massage
\nparlors, jackpot and pinball establishments from operating during
\nRamadhan. The decree does not apply to similar entertainment
\ncenters run by star-rated hotels. Massage parlors with blind
\nmasseurs are exempt. The policy is obviously discriminative in
\nterms of business.<\/p>\n
Cafes, karaoke halls, Karaoke bars and pubs are allowed to
\noperate between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. during the fasting
\nmonth, according to the decree. Governor Sutiyoso announced the
\ndecision about two weeks after the radical Islam Defenders Front
\n(FPI) ransacked and vandalized nightspots in West Jakarta,
\ndemanding that nightspots and other activities which they claimed
\nwere covers for prostitution and gambling outfits, be closed
\nduring the fasting month.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration did not respond to the vandalism
\nuntil thousands of people representing entertainment centers
\nreacted to the FPI action. They demonstrated at the Jakarta City
\nCouncil and City Hall to demand that their businesses be
\npermitted to remain open during Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Those involved in the formulation of the gubernatorial decree
\nmight have been ignorant of the fact that many people working at
\nthe nightspots are not prostitutes, gamblers or sellers of
\nalcoholic beverages. Most of them are probably Muslims, who --
\nlike their fellow Muslims elsewhere -- dream of celebrating the
\npost-Ramadhan Idul Fitri holidays with their families. However,
\nthe one-month closure of their places of work would be a tough
\nblow to them as they will not get their salaries, annual bonuses
\nor other allowances related to the Idul Fitri holidays.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta city administration should therefore review its
\npolicies on Ramadhan in such a manner as to seek the best
\npossible solution by not letting entertainment center employees
\nsuffer, while at the same time still respecting the holy month of
\nRamadhan.<\/p>\n
While we do not support or condone prostitution, the sale of
\nalcohol or gambling, which are prohibited by Islamic law, the
\ndecision to close the nightspots for one month is unwise and
\nunfair. Our Constitution guarantees our citizens jobs and a
\nhumane life. In this case the gubernatorial decree obviously
\nnegates and nullifies the Constitution. If the administration's
\nconcern is to eliminate prostitution, alcohol and gambling from
\nthe teeming metropolis of Jakarta, home to about 8.5 million
\npeople, why don't the authorities just ban any businesses that
\noffer such facilities for good and punish those violating the
\nban.<\/p>\n
The decree is not the only infraction of the Constitution.
\nSutiyoso's decree on the ban of the operation of becak (pedicabs)
\nis another example. The decree is also against the citizens'
\nrights to be gainfully employed. We still remember the Jakarta
\nadministration's decision to ban the sale of liquor at
\nunregistered shops some years ago. This \"noble\" policy was flawed
\nin the eyes of the public as anybody, including students, can buy
\nalcoholic drinks very easily at roadside stalls and shops.<\/p>\n
The gubernatorial decree on the closure of nightspots makes
\nthe operation of nightspots and working at nightspots an offense.
\nWhy, then, hasn't the administration banned them all together
\nfrom the start? Some people say that to eliminate prostitution
\nand gambling is an extremely tough job as they are part of modern
\ncivilization, whether one likes it or not. Others believe that
\nthe world is divided into two opposite poles: black and white,
\ngood and bad, night and day. If the Jakarta city administration
\nunder Sutiyoso insists on teaching the people what to chose and
\nhow to behave, especially during Ramadhan, it should set a good
\nexample by giving all segments of society equal treatment. To ban
\ndiscotheques and bars from operating during Ramadhan but to allow
\nstar-rated hotels to open their discotheques and bars is
\ndiscriminatory.<\/p>\n
By its Decree No. 108\/2001, the Jakarta administration is
\ntelling the citizens that \"you can drink alcoholic beverages,
\nenjoy gambling and massage parlors anytime you like except during
\nRamadhan\". This is the right time for Sutiyoso's administration
\nto contemplate and study the decree: Is that what Islam teaches?<\/p>",
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