Parliament Calls on Police to Ban Loudspeakers at 'Sahur on the Road' Events in Jombang
DPR Asks Police to Stop the Use of Loudspeakers During ‘Sahur on the Road’ Events in Jombang
Member of Commission VIII of the DPR from the PKS faction, Hidayat Nur Wahid, has requested that local governments and police authorities halt the use of loudspeakers during ‘Sahur on the Road’ (SOTR) events in Jombang, East Java, which have recently come under scrutiny.
He believes that the use of loudspeakers during SOTR events, especially when accompanied by female dancers, does not reflect Islamic values.
The activity is also considered disruptive to residents who are not observing the Ramadan fast.
“Therefore, if that is the case, the village government or local government and the police should immediately stop it,” he said when contacted by reporters on Tuesday (24 February).
According to him, Jombang has long been associated with being a region of Islamic scholars, and it is the birthplace of the largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), which always promotes tolerance.
Therefore, he added, the use of loudspeakers during the sahur time is contrary to the principles of tolerance that are always taught by the NU community and Islamic boarding schools.
“This is like, in a way, a lack of respect for Jombang, which has such an extraordinary history of Islamic education,” said Hidayat.
He, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the MPR, admitted that he was concerned that if the activity was not stopped immediately, it would be imitated by other regions.
According to him, the practice of waking people up for sahur is common and has become a tradition in many areas. However, it should not involve excessive noise, especially with the inclusion of female dancers.
“But if they then use loudspeakers again, and add other elements, and it is clear that neither the local government nor the police have given permission, then all of this clearly indicates that it is not in line with the purpose of fasting,” he said.
The use of loudspeakers during SOTR events in Jombang, East Java, has come under scrutiny because it also featured female dancers wearing revealing clothing.
As reported by Detik.com, the incident occurred on a road connecting Jatibanjar village, Ploso sub-district, with Sumbergondang village, Kabuh sub-district, Jombang regency, East Java, on Sunday (22 February).
The head of the Ploso police station, Kompol Achmad Chairuddin, confirmed that the SOTR event was held without permission from the police or the local village government.
“Without permission, we also do not allow it. The village head (of Jatibanjar) also did not know about it; he found out from his residents,” Chairuddin said when contacted by detikJatim on Monday (23 February).
(kid/thr/kid) [Image: CNN Video]