All discos banned during Ramadhan

JAKARTA: The government will close all night clubs and ban street demonstrations around the country during the Muslim fasting month that will begin on Nov. 16.

Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Husin Al Munawar said on Friday that the move was taken out of respect for the Muslim holy month.

He also urged all television stations not to air entertainment or programs containing pornography and to replace them with religious programs.

The ministry, in cooperation with the police, will conduct regular raids in places where porn CDs are sold, such as in Senen, Central Jakarta and Glodok, West Jakarta.

"This policy will be coordinated with other related ministries," he told reporters on Monday.

Separately on Thursday evening, Agil signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Canadian Ambassador, Ferry de Kerckhove, for a grant from the Canadian government worth Rp 63.85 billion.

The grant will be used to finance a joint education project for a five-year term through the State Institute of Islamic Studies (IAIN). --JP