Denies Foreign Media Articles About Azan Too Noisy, MUI: Not Enough Facts

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Amirsyah Tambunan regretted the news content of foreign media stating that the call to prayer in Jakarta was noisy, based on residents' opinions.

Amirsyah emphasized that there is nothing that can corroborate the fact that the call to prayer invites noise when heard from places of worship.

"In terms of research, the fact that the call to prayer is noisy is not enough. Don't say that the call to prayer is noisy, that's what I regret," said Amirsyah to VOI, Thursday, October 14.

Amirsyah asserted, echoing the call to prayer is one of the activities of worship for Muslims. This is also protected in Article 29 of the 1945 Constitution.

Article 29 Paragraph (1) states that the state is based on the One Godhead." Meanwhile, Article 29 Paragraph (2) states that the state guarantees the independence of each resident to embrace their respective religions and to worship according to their religion and beliefs.

"The call to prayer for Muslims is a form of worship, belief. And that is in the constitution Article 29 paragraph (1) and paragraph (2) guaranteed by the state," he said.

For information, the foreign media AFP wrote an article about the opinion of a Jakarta resident who complained about the call to prayer in his area. AFP interviewed a resident named Rina (not her real name).

AFP reported that Rina thought that the call to prayer in Jakarta was too noisy, which disturbed her comfort and made it difficult for her to sleep. However, Rina was afraid to express her complaint for fear of being attacked by local residents.