Thoughts on Ramadhan

The Muslim holy month of Ramadhan in nearing, one of the best times for contemplation for Muslims. Muslims the world over have been observing Ramadhan for centuries and the holy month is believed to be able to spiritually enrich them. During the month of Ramadhan they also enjoy a deep sense of happiness that climaxes with the day of victory, Idul Fitri.

Indisputably, therefore, Ramadhan and Idul Fitri are very special occasions for Muslims. As was also the case last year, however, this year's Ramadhan and Idul Fitri might be a rather bleak season for people working at nightspots, amusement centers and massage parlors in Jakarta, as their places of work are not allowed to operate.

The Jakarta administration, through Decree No. 108, dated Nov. 13, 2001, bans nightclubs, discotheques, bars, saunas and massage parlors, jackpot and pinball establishments from operating during Ramadhan. The decree does not apply to similar entertainment centers run by star-rated hotels. Massage parlors with blind masseurs are exempt. The policy is obviously discriminative in terms of business.

Cafes, karaoke halls, Karaoke bars and pubs are allowed to operate between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. during the fasting month, according to the decree. Governor Sutiyoso announced the decision about two weeks after the radical Islam Defenders Front (FPI) ransacked and vandalized nightspots in West Jakarta, demanding that nightspots and other activities which they claimed were covers for prostitution and gambling outfits, be closed during the fasting month.

The Jakarta administration did not respond to the vandalism until thousands of people representing entertainment centers reacted to the FPI action. They demonstrated at the Jakarta City Council and City Hall to demand that their businesses be permitted to remain open during Ramadhan.

Those involved in the formulation of the gubernatorial decree might have been ignorant of the fact that many people working at the nightspots are not prostitutes, gamblers or sellers of alcoholic beverages. Most of them are probably Muslims, who -- like their fellow Muslims elsewhere -- dream of celebrating the post-Ramadhan Idul Fitri holidays with their families. However, the one-month closure of their places of work would be a tough blow to them as they will not get their salaries, annual bonuses or other allowances related to the Idul Fitri holidays.

The Jakarta city administration should therefore review its policies on Ramadhan in such a manner as to seek the best possible solution by not letting entertainment center employees suffer, while at the same time still respecting the holy month of Ramadhan.

While we do not support or condone prostitution, the sale of alcohol or gambling, which are prohibited by Islamic law, the decision to close the nightspots for one month is unwise and unfair. Our Constitution guarantees our citizens jobs and a humane life. In this case the gubernatorial decree obviously negates and nullifies the Constitution. If the administration's concern is to eliminate prostitution, alcohol and gambling from the teeming metropolis of Jakarta, home to about 8.5 million people, why don't the authorities just ban any businesses that offer such facilities for good and punish those violating the ban.

The decree is not the only infraction of the Constitution. Sutiyoso's decree on the ban of the operation of becak (pedicabs) is another example. The decree is also against the citizens' rights to be gainfully employed. We still remember the Jakarta administration's decision to ban the sale of liquor at unregistered shops some years ago. This "noble" policy was flawed in the eyes of the public as anybody, including students, can buy alcoholic drinks very easily at roadside stalls and shops.

The gubernatorial decree on the closure of nightspots makes the operation of nightspots and working at nightspots an offense. Why, then, hasn't the administration banned them all together from the start? Some people say that to eliminate prostitution and gambling is an extremely tough job as they are part of modern civilization, whether one likes it or not. Others believe that the world is divided into two opposite poles: black and white, good and bad, night and day. If the Jakarta city administration under Sutiyoso insists on teaching the people what to chose and how to behave, especially during Ramadhan, it should set a good example by giving all segments of society equal treatment. To ban discotheques and bars from operating during Ramadhan but to allow star-rated hotels to open their discotheques and bars is discriminatory.

By its Decree No. 108/2001, the Jakarta administration is telling the citizens that "you can drink alcoholic beverages, enjoy gambling and massage parlors anytime you like except during Ramadhan". This is the right time for Sutiyoso's administration to contemplate and study the decree: Is that what Islam teaches?