Head of Madium civil service police force Bambang Subanto said all mosques in the city would have been forbidden to use loudspeakers in reciting verses of the holy Koran during the fasting month.
"But the mosque committees are still allowed to use loudspeakers to call for Sahur meal before daybreak and to call for prayers," Bambang Subanto said.
He said the ban was under discussion before it could be officially issued by the Madiun mayor as a regulation in the fasting month.
"At least two days before the start of the Ramadan fasting month the regulation will be ready for familiarization at the mosques," Bambang said.
He said the masques would be banned from using the loudspeakers after 11 pm in order not to disturb the people were mostly asleep to respect non-Muslims living around the Muslim houses of warship. According to Bambang, the ban was based on a common agreement among Muslim organizations in Madiun, namely Indonesian Ulema Council, Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, and Indonesian Islamic Propagation Institute (LDII).
Meanwhile, Madiun chapter of Indonesian Ulema Council chairman Sutoyo admitted there was a call on limiting the use of loudspeakers in reciting Koranic verses after 11 pm.
"There is no problem with the ban because it has been a common agreement among Muslim organizations during every fasting month," Sutoyo said.
(Uu.O001/H-NG/B003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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