Beware pornography: Scholar

Beware pornography: Scholar

SURABAYA, East Java: A Moslem scholar called on parents
yesterday to protect their children more carefully than ever from
the current proliferation of pornographic products here in
Indonesia's second-largest city.

Saleh Aldjufri, chairman of the Islamic Information and
Laboratory Institute, was referring to products such as pens and
matchboxes with pictures of nude women, and books and calendars
in a similar vein.

Many pornography vendors hawk their wares in public areas
including the Wonokromo market, sidewalks outside Siola shopping
center, the sidewalk outside the state-owned shipping firm Pelni,
and the Joyoboyo bus terminal.

Heri, a vendor at Wonokromo market, said students, other young
people and workers passing by usually purchased pornographic
books by Eny Arrow, Nick Carter and others, which sell for Rp
5,000 (US$2.10).

In addition to book sales, vendors secretly offer cards with
pornographic photographs to customers.

"They must be dealt with firmly, especially in light of the
upcoming holy month of Ramadhan, when many of us strive to purify
our souls," Saleh said. (01)