Indonesian Ulema Council Urges Restraint After Foreign National Protests Ramadan Recitation Sound in NTB
A video went viral showing a foreign woman causing a disturbance in Gili Trawangan hamlet, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), after being disturbed by the sound of Quran recitation (tadarus) on the first night of Ramadan. MUI Secretary-General Amirsyah Tambunan urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise mutual respect.
"All parties must exercise restraint, especially those who are fasting. Those in the surrounding community should also hold back and not become emotional or lash out, as matters can be conveyed in a wise and prudent manner," Amirsyah told reporters on Saturday (21/2/2026).
He emphasised the importance of maintaining a conducive atmosphere during Ramadan. He added that communities conducting Quran recitation sessions also need to maintain solemnity and orderliness to foster a sense of security and fellowship.
"Beautiful, melodious and serene voices are needed for Islamic outreach during the month of Ramadan, which is full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings from Allah SWT," he said.
Amirsyah also underscored the importance of tolerance in community life. He further expressed hope that foreign nationals visiting as guests would understand local customs and wisdom.
"So there must be mutual tolerance (tasamuh)," he said.
"Foreign visitors, as guests, must understand local customs and wisdom," he added.
In the viral video, the foreign woman was seen shouting in front of a prayer hall whilst residents were reciting the Quran using a loudspeaker. Head of Gili Trawangan hamlet, Muhammad Husni, said the woman felt disturbed by the sound of the recitation.
"What she took issue with was the recitation activity, because she was disturbed by the speaker sound," he said on Thursday (19/2).
According to Husni, the woman then entered the prayer hall to stop residents' activities. She even damaged the microphone being used for the recitation.
"She came to the prayer hall, then immediately started raging and damaged the microphone and everything else," he said.
"All parties must exercise restraint, especially those who are fasting. Those in the surrounding community should also hold back and not become emotional or lash out, as matters can be conveyed in a wise and prudent manner," Amirsyah told reporters on Saturday (21/2/2026).
He emphasised the importance of maintaining a conducive atmosphere during Ramadan. He added that communities conducting Quran recitation sessions also need to maintain solemnity and orderliness to foster a sense of security and fellowship.
"Beautiful, melodious and serene voices are needed for Islamic outreach during the month of Ramadan, which is full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings from Allah SWT," he said.
Amirsyah also underscored the importance of tolerance in community life. He further expressed hope that foreign nationals visiting as guests would understand local customs and wisdom.
"So there must be mutual tolerance (tasamuh)," he said.
"Foreign visitors, as guests, must understand local customs and wisdom," he added.
In the viral video, the foreign woman was seen shouting in front of a prayer hall whilst residents were reciting the Quran using a loudspeaker. Head of Gili Trawangan hamlet, Muhammad Husni, said the woman felt disturbed by the sound of the recitation.
"What she took issue with was the recitation activity, because she was disturbed by the speaker sound," he said on Thursday (19/2).
According to Husni, the woman then entered the prayer hall to stop residents' activities. She even damaged the microphone being used for the recitation.
"She came to the prayer hall, then immediately started raging and damaged the microphone and everything else," he said.