Mostly poor people use firecrackers

From Sinar Pagi

If we observe those who are behind lighting firecrackers, we shall find that they are not the well-to-do who have money to spend for firecrackers galore. Firecracker users usually belong to the middle to lower-middle classes, even to those who live below the poverty line, are uneducated and conservative.

The number of firecracker users is staggering. It shows that many people of the younger generation are old-fashioned in their thinking. They are more wasteful than productive.

They have great difficulty meeting their daily needs, let alone financing the education of their children. They are happier lighting firecrackers. They are proud and satisfied if other people, including their neighbors, are startled by the explosion of firecrackers. This is one of the manifestations of people who cannot follow the development of the times.

I do not understand why lighting firecrackers is also done in the holy month of Ramadhan.

The children's parents are proud if their children startle them with firecrackers. If a neighbor dares to reprimand these children, the whole extended family, including grandparents, will become enemies of the neighbor. They would say about their children: "They are just children."

I would like to appeal to religious dignitaries, especially those of Islam, to make children understand during sermons that there is no benefit to be reaped from lighting firecrackers. Besides, it may harm other people. I think this is important because it will avoid a repeat of recent gang fights due to firecrackers.

To firecracker users, I ask them not to light anymore firecrackers. Safeguard the tranquility of Ramadhan. If they still want to light the explosives, they can do it in their own pocket. That way they will not disturb other people.

SUKATNO GINTING

Bogor, West Java