Ulemas soften stance on nightspots<\/p>\n
Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city chapter of the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI)
\nsoftened its stance on Monday by agreeing that certain
\nentertainment centers here had the right to operate during the
\nfasting month of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, we want all the entertainment centers to close
\nduring the fasting month. But we have to consider their workers,\"
\nMUI city chapter secretary Abubakar Muin said during a hearing
\nwith the City Council and the Association of Nightspot Owners
\n(Asphindo).<\/p>\n
The hearing was organized to discuss the draft of a bylaw on
\nthe operation of entertainment centers during Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Abubakar said MUI supported the governor's decision to ban
\ncertain entertainment centers commonly associated with
\nprostitution and gambling, during the fasting month.<\/p>\n
In past years, MUI has insisted that all entertainment centers
\nclose during the fasting month.<\/p>\n
Besides MUI, the militant Islam Defenders Front (FPI) has
\nvandalized entertainment centers that remained open during
\nRamadhan in past years.<\/p>\n
FPI insisted the entertainment centers' owners could allocate
\nsome of their profits during 11 months of operation to pay their
\nemployees during their closure in the fasting month.<\/p>\n
It's unclear whether MUI's backing down was related to the
\ntougher stance of the government toward militant groups after the
\nBali bombing tragedy.<\/p>\n
Nine members of FPI, including its chairman Rizieq Shihab were
\ndetained for vandalizing entertainment centers in West Jakarta
\nthree weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Asphindo's secretary Adrian Maelite urged that bars should
\nalso be allowed to open during the fasting month.<\/p>\n
\"How can karaoke parlors open without bars (serving alcohol)?\"
\nAdrian told reporters.<\/p>\n
The city's entertainment centers collectively employ a total
\nof 250,000 workers, and together with hotels and restaurants
\ncontribute total taxes of between Rp 30 billion and Rp 40 billion
\na month.<\/p>\n
The city administration earlier announced that certain
\nentertainment centers, including bars, discotheques, massage
\nparlors and pin ball arcades, were not allowed to operate during
\nthe fasting month.<\/p>\n
Other entertainment centers, such as karaoke parlors and live
\nmusic halls, are allowed to operate between 8:30 a.m. and 12:30
\np.m.<\/p>\n
However all entertainment centers located at star-rated hotels
\nare allowed to operate during the Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
The city has some 2,887 entertainment centers, including 251
\ncinemas, 200 billiard halls, 1,228 bars and restaurants, 144
\ndiscotheques, 193 hotels, 12 nightclubs, 35 cafes, 11 saunas, 263
\nkaraoke parlors, 221 massage parlors, 20 barber shops (that are
\nknown to employ sex workers) and 20 amusement centers.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ulemas-soften-stance-on-nightspots-1447893297",
"image": ""
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