In Blitar, East Java, Dere’s Da Good News…And Da Kill-Joys!
The good news for the fine folks who live in Blitar, East Java, is that the local authorities have told the numerous mosques in the city ‘not to broadcast tadarus (Quran recitals) over loud speakers after 10pm.’
A welcome relief, no doubt.
Mosque noise is an issue that has long been making news, not just in the provinces but all over Indonesia, most recently, and shockingly in Sumatra…
…where a court verdict on a harmless woman appalled decent people around the world.
There was too the victimisation of a Muslim man in Aceh…
Aceh – Muslim Seeks Quieter Mosques, Bullied Into Silence, after ‘Death Threats!’
…which of course is run by shariah fanatics…
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…but also in Jakarta..
Mosques Above The Law! ‘Too Sensitive’ to Enforce Noise Control! And Criticism? – ‘An Outrage!’
…where even former Vice-President Kalla, himself a serious Muslim, acknowledged the problem.
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Turn It Down! Ex VP Urges Volume Control for Noisy Indonesian Mosques
For my part, I’ve long since ceased to be bothered in my comfy bed, but a nice London lass I know actually moved house, from Rasuna Said to a district way down in Jakarta’s south, simply because the constant and incredible volume of calls to prayer rendered her incapable of getting a proper rest.
So it’s commendable that, in Blitar, the head of the Public Order Officer Unit (Satpol PP), a Mr. Juari, showed a sensible grasp of reality.
He noted that fasting all day left people tired out after work so no wonder his sensible circular ‘had received a warm welcome from a wide cross-section of the community, including the takmir..’
However, for Blitar people, that might have been the only bit of news that they got this month.
…the Blitar city has also banned live music performances and the sale of liquor in cafes, hotels and other entertainment spots…“Satpol PP will take stern action against cafes selling alcoholic drinks,” said Juari, adding that routine patrols would be held to monitor the city during Ramadan… https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/05/07/blitar-bans-quran-recitals-over-loud-speakers-after-10-p-m.html
Which brings me back to my usual theme at this time of year.
WHY?
If those who wish to be as devout as can be cannot walk by a cafe selling beer or playing music without caving in to temptation, what kind of commitment do they have to their devotion?
Fact is, they should be grateful for the opportunity to resist, to show their grit.
If they sat in a sound-proof room all through Ramadhan, what would that prove?
Nothing at all.
I could echo the late President Gus Dur, who exalted religious liberty and tolerance. He urged fasters to respect non-fasters!
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I could talk about the civil rights of those who are not obliged by their creeds to observe the fasting.
But they’re just minorities!
Who cares about their rights?
rossrightangle 
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