Night spots to remain open during Ramadhan

Night spots to remain open during Ramadhan

JAKARTA (JP): It's business as usual for entertainment centers
across the capital during the holy month of Ramadhan, but
Governor Sutiyoso warned organizers of the places on Tuesday to
comply with the existing regulations.

Sutiyoso said the policy was simply aimed at protecting the
various needs of Jakartans.

"I hope that the fasting month will run well and solemnly. The
city regulation clearly stipulates that during the month night
spots can open only after the night prayer and close before the
pre-dawn meal (sahur)," Sutiyoso told some 200 owners and
operators of nightspots at the City Hall.

The night prayer, locally called tarawih, is conducted at
around 7 p.m. and the pre-dawn meal, or sahur in local language,
commonly starts at 3 a.m.

Muslims in Indonesia, like their counterparts in Malaysia,
Brunei and Singapore, will begin fasting on Nov. 27, Wahyu
Widiana, an official at the ministry of religious affairs, said.

Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the month-long fast, will
be celebrated on Dec. 27.

Sutiyoso pleaded for the general public's understanding that
many Jakartans earn a living from the entertainment spots, so it
would be a violation of their rights if the city administration
closed the places down.

"It is my obligation to protect everybody's rights and we have
to admit that night spots contribute to the city's revenue,"
Sutiyoso said.

He further appealed to certain groups not to raid the night
spots during Ramadhan because such action are unlawful.

"I call on the groups to uphold the law and realize that any
attack on the places is against the law. I will ask the police to
prevent these actions from taking place," he said.

The previous fasting month saw some 4,000 activists from the
Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) break into and occupy the City Hall
to demand that the city authorities close all entertainment
centers during the Muslim fasting month. They also demanded that
Sutiyoso revoke bylaw No. 48/1999 that allows, although with
reduced operational hours, nightspots to remain open during
Ramadhan.

Following the move, Sutiyoso announced that all discotheques,
night clubs, billiard centers and sauna parlors must close during
the fasting month until seven days after the post-fasting Idul
Fitri celebration.

"What the FPI did was not good and I asked them to use their
common sense and realize that some people make a living from
nightspots. I'm afraid another raid will incite retaliation from
these people," he said.

Sutiyoso said he will consult ulemas and all related parties
on the issue.

Meanwhile, Wahyu, the director of Islamic Legal Boards
Development at the religious affairs ministry, said the meeting
to formally decide the start of Ramadhan will be held on Nov. 26
and will be presided over by Minister of Religious Affairs
Tolchah Hasan.

The minister, Wahyu added, will bring in all reports on rukyat
(the new moon observation) from all over Indonesia and discuss
them with experts on Nov. 26.

A similar procedure will occur on Dec. 25 to determine the
fall of Idul Fitri.

"We currently have 321 religious courts around the country
which, with the help of local people, are observing the moon's
position and reporting it to the ministry," Wahyu said.

The upcoming Idul Fitri falls close to Christmas, giving the
government its toughest job ever in providing food and public
transportation to cater for the sharp increase in holidaymakers.

While no dispute is expected in deciding the date of Idul
Fitri, Wahyu said the government is anticipating a conflicting
date for the Islamic Day of Sacrifice or Idul Adha. He said the
holiday is likely to fall either on March 5 or March 6 next year.

"The difference will probably be caused by the moon's higher
position," Wahyu said. (23/edt/dja)