Thoughts on Ramadhan

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?