MUI and Ministry of Religious Affairs Respond After Foreign National Protests Quran Recitation Sounds
A foreign woman went viral after going on a rampage in Gili Trawangan hamlet, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, having been disturbed by the sound of Quran recitation (tadarusan) on the first night of Ramadan. The incident drew a range of responses from religious authorities and government officials.
In a video circulating online, the woman was seen shouting in front of a prayer hall (musala) whilst residents were reciting the Quran using a loudspeaker. Head of Gili Trawangan hamlet, Muhammad Husni, said the woman felt disturbed by the recitation sounds.
"What she took issue with was the tadarusan activity, because she was disturbed by the speaker sound," he said.
According to Husni, the woman then entered the prayer hall to stop the residents' activity. She even damaged the microphone being used for the recitation.
A confrontation ensued, with the foreign national getting into a verbal altercation with residents. During the incident, one resident sustained scratch wounds.
After her outburst and damaging the microphone, the woman returned to the villa where she was staying and allegedly took a resident's mobile phone. When residents went to the villa to retrieve the phone, the foreign national brandished two machetes and threatened them.
**MUI Urges Restraint**
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) responded to the incident. MUI Secretary-General Amirsyah Tambunan called on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise mutual respect.
"All parties must exercise restraint (imsak), especially those who are fasting. Those in the surrounding area should also restrain themselves and not become emotional or aggressive, as matters can be conveyed in a wise and prudent manner," Amirsyah told reporters on Saturday (21 February).
He stressed the importance of maintaining a conducive atmosphere during Ramadan. He said communities conducting Quran recitation also need to maintain devotion and orderliness to create a sense of security and fellowship.
"Beautiful, melodious and serene voices are needed for religious outreach during the month of Ramadan, which is full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings from Allah SWT," he said.
Amirsyah also reminded of the importance of tolerance in community life. Additionally, he hoped that visiting foreign nationals would understand local customs and wisdom.
"So mutual tolerance (tasamuh)," he said. "Foreign visitors as guests must understand local customs and wisdom."
**Ministry of Religious Affairs Clarifies Speaker Regulations During Recitation**
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) also responded to the incident, affirming that regulations on loudspeaker use already exist.
"The use of loudspeakers actually already has guidelines in a Ministerial Circular to promote peace, order and shared comfort," said Head of the Ministry's Public Relations and Communications Bureau, Thobib Al Asyhar, on Saturday (21 February).
The regulations are set out in Circular Letter No. SE. 05 of 2022 concerning guidelines for loudspeaker use at mosques and prayer halls.
Under these regulations, there are two types of loudspeakers: indoor and outdoor. Indoor speakers are directed within the mosque or prayer hall, whilst outdoor speakers are directed outside.
Outdoor speakers are used, among other purposes, for broadcasting the call to prayer (azan). Meanwhile, Quran recitation should use indoor speakers.
"The use of loudspeakers during Ramadan, whether for Tarawih prayers, Ramadan sermons/lectures, or Quran recitation, shall use indoor speakers," the circular states.
The Ministry urged the public to follow these guidelines. Thobib said Quran recitation should ideally use indoor speakers in accordance with the circular.
**PBNU Pushes for Local Speaker Regulations at Mosques**
Meanwhile, the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) called on local governments to create regulations on loudspeaker use at places of worship. PBNU deemed such regulations necessary to ensure public comfort.
"There should indeed be regulations at the local level, such as a Regent's Regulation, to ensure that religious life in the community can take place in a harmonious atmosphere," said PBNU Deputy Chairman Amin Said on Saturday (21 February).
"Including the use of loudspeakers at places of worship. It could be regulated, for example, that the call to prayer may use far-reaching outdoor speakers, whilst Quran recitation should only use indoor speakers within the mosque or prayer hall," he added.
He said regional heads have the authority to create such regulations, though they must take various considerations into account.
"Regional heads have the authority to make such regulations, naturally by taking into account input from religious organisations and local religious figures," he said.
PBNU Chairman Ahmad Fahrur Rozi (Gus Fahrur) said Quran recitation with loudspeakers is a good means of religious outreach. However, he reminded that its implementation must observe proper etiquette.
"It must not cause disturbance (mudharat) to the community around the mosque," he said.
"Especially late at night, outdoor speakers should be used sparingly. After 10pm, it is recommended to use only indoor mosque speakers so as not to disturb people's sleep," he added.
In a video circulating online, the woman was seen shouting in front of a prayer hall (musala) whilst residents were reciting the Quran using a loudspeaker. Head of Gili Trawangan hamlet, Muhammad Husni, said the woman felt disturbed by the recitation sounds.
"What she took issue with was the tadarusan activity, because she was disturbed by the speaker sound," he said.
According to Husni, the woman then entered the prayer hall to stop the residents' activity. She even damaged the microphone being used for the recitation.
A confrontation ensued, with the foreign national getting into a verbal altercation with residents. During the incident, one resident sustained scratch wounds.
After her outburst and damaging the microphone, the woman returned to the villa where she was staying and allegedly took a resident's mobile phone. When residents went to the villa to retrieve the phone, the foreign national brandished two machetes and threatened them.
**MUI Urges Restraint**
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) responded to the incident. MUI Secretary-General Amirsyah Tambunan called on all parties to exercise restraint and prioritise mutual respect.
"All parties must exercise restraint (imsak), especially those who are fasting. Those in the surrounding area should also restrain themselves and not become emotional or aggressive, as matters can be conveyed in a wise and prudent manner," Amirsyah told reporters on Saturday (21 February).
He stressed the importance of maintaining a conducive atmosphere during Ramadan. He said communities conducting Quran recitation also need to maintain devotion and orderliness to create a sense of security and fellowship.
"Beautiful, melodious and serene voices are needed for religious outreach during the month of Ramadan, which is full of mercy, forgiveness and blessings from Allah SWT," he said.
Amirsyah also reminded of the importance of tolerance in community life. Additionally, he hoped that visiting foreign nationals would understand local customs and wisdom.
"So mutual tolerance (tasamuh)," he said. "Foreign visitors as guests must understand local customs and wisdom."
**Ministry of Religious Affairs Clarifies Speaker Regulations During Recitation**
The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) also responded to the incident, affirming that regulations on loudspeaker use already exist.
"The use of loudspeakers actually already has guidelines in a Ministerial Circular to promote peace, order and shared comfort," said Head of the Ministry's Public Relations and Communications Bureau, Thobib Al Asyhar, on Saturday (21 February).
The regulations are set out in Circular Letter No. SE. 05 of 2022 concerning guidelines for loudspeaker use at mosques and prayer halls.
Under these regulations, there are two types of loudspeakers: indoor and outdoor. Indoor speakers are directed within the mosque or prayer hall, whilst outdoor speakers are directed outside.
Outdoor speakers are used, among other purposes, for broadcasting the call to prayer (azan). Meanwhile, Quran recitation should use indoor speakers.
"The use of loudspeakers during Ramadan, whether for Tarawih prayers, Ramadan sermons/lectures, or Quran recitation, shall use indoor speakers," the circular states.
The Ministry urged the public to follow these guidelines. Thobib said Quran recitation should ideally use indoor speakers in accordance with the circular.
**PBNU Pushes for Local Speaker Regulations at Mosques**
Meanwhile, the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) called on local governments to create regulations on loudspeaker use at places of worship. PBNU deemed such regulations necessary to ensure public comfort.
"There should indeed be regulations at the local level, such as a Regent's Regulation, to ensure that religious life in the community can take place in a harmonious atmosphere," said PBNU Deputy Chairman Amin Said on Saturday (21 February).
"Including the use of loudspeakers at places of worship. It could be regulated, for example, that the call to prayer may use far-reaching outdoor speakers, whilst Quran recitation should only use indoor speakers within the mosque or prayer hall," he added.
He said regional heads have the authority to create such regulations, though they must take various considerations into account.
"Regional heads have the authority to make such regulations, naturally by taking into account input from religious organisations and local religious figures," he said.
PBNU Chairman Ahmad Fahrur Rozi (Gus Fahrur) said Quran recitation with loudspeakers is a good means of religious outreach. However, he reminded that its implementation must observe proper etiquette.
"It must not cause disturbance (mudharat) to the community around the mosque," he said.
"Especially late at night, outdoor speakers should be used sparingly. After 10pm, it is recommended to use only indoor mosque speakers so as not to disturb people's sleep," he added.