Ulemas support 'Kramtung' center

Ulemas support 'Kramtung' center

JAKARTA (JP): Ulemas and community leaders voiced their
support on Wednesday for the city administration's plan to build
an Islamic center at a former brothel complex in Kramat Tunggak,
North Jakarta.

Besides expressing their support, some 150 ulemas and
community leaders who met with Governor Sutiyoso and city
officials at the City Hall also promised to help find funding
for the development of the Islamic center.

"We have many members who graduated from universities in
Middle Eastern countries. They could help seek funds to finance
the development of the center," the secretary of the city chapter
of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, Hamdan Rasyid, said.

Hamdan claimed changing the former brothel complex into an
Islamic center was a good idea and in line with Islamic
teachings.

He also suggested the city administration not concentrate only
on the buildings in the center, but also on the types of
activities that should be held in the center.

During the meeting, Sutiyoso said the project, which will
include a Rp 74 billion (US$6.6 million) grand mosque, would be
financed by the city budget. However, he said the city would seek
donations from Islamic countries.

Among those attending the meeting were former vice president
Try Soetrisno, who came to the meeting as a community leader.
(jun)