Calls Minister Of Religion Unwise About Loudspeakers And Dog Barking, PAN Suggests Yaqut Dialogue With MUI

JAKARTA - The chairman of the PAN faction of the DPR RI, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, regretted the statement by the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas regarding the rules for loudspeakers or mosque and prayer prayers. The statement is considered to be able to hurt the feelings of Muslims.

"Although the initial aim was to maintain harmony and harmony, this statement is far from wisdom and wisdom," Saleh told reporters, Thursday, February 24.

Saleh said that many had questioned the controversial statement by Minister of Religion Yaqut who said loudspeakers disturbed the peace of the community. What is also a problem, the noise is exemplified by the barking of dogs.

"The public has reacted. In fact, it is discussed on social media with various oblique comments," said Saleh.

The former chairman of the Muhammadiyah youth group said that it is inappropriate for a minister of religion to give an example of the sound of the call to prayer by barking dogs. Saleh said that the call to prayer is a call and an invitation to pray.

"And prayer is a very noble worship and its implementation must be respected. So, is the call to prayer appropriate compared to other irrelevant matters," he said.

"People who don't pray, still respect the call to prayer. There are many activities and activities that are intentionally stopped when the call to prayer is heard. Now, this is the minister of religion, right, students. Why compare the call to prayer with barking dogs?," Saleh continued.

The PAN legislator for the North Sumatra electoral district hopes that the problems that have been entrenched so far will not be questioned and brought up. If it continues to be questioned, said Saleh, eventually something that has been considered normal and not disturbing, will become a problem. So that there seems to be a stigmatization of Islam and the implementation of its teachings.

"This call to prayer has become entrenched. Everyone calls the call to prayer every time. It is taught in many schools and Islamic boarding schools. In fact, there is a call to prayer competition that is regularly held. Students and parents are happy if their child can win. Why should there be a circular letter from the Minister of Religion to regulate the volume the sound of the call to prayer? Isn't it that without the circular, life in society will be calm?," Saleh explained.

Therefore, Saleh advised the Minister of Religion Yaqut to have a dialogue with the MUI and religious organizations to straighten out the current problem.

"The minister of religion is very unwise. He needs to talk to the MUI and Islamic religious organizations regarding this issue. This dialogue with religious leaders is very necessary to straighten out what is currently happening," he concluded.