Pros And Cons DPR Responds To Minister Of Religion Who Issues Regulations For Loud Speakers For Mosques And Musala

Minister of Religion Yaqut/Photo; Antara

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas issued Circular Letter No. SE 05 of 2022 concerning Guidelines for Using Loudspeakers in Mosques and Musala. In these rules, the use of external loudspeakers is no later than 5 to 10 minutes before the call to prayer.

"The guidelines are issued as an effort to increase peace, order, and harmony among citizens," said Minister of Religion Yaqut in a written statement, Monday, February 21. the city, the Head of the Sub-district Religious Affairs Office, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Chairperson of the Indonesian Mosque Council, the Head of Islamic Community Organizations, and Takmir/Masjid and Musala Management throughout Indonesia. As a copy, this circular is also addressed to all governors and regents/mayors throughout Indonesia.

However, the SE issued by the Minister of Religion reaped the pros and cons of the DPR, especially its working partner, Commission VIII. Some say this rule is necessary, on the other hand, the guidelines are considered to eliminate tradition.

Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR, Ace Hasan Syadizily, assessed that now it was time for the rules for loudspeakers or prayers in mosques and prayer rooms to be renewed.

"In fact, the Ministry of Religion has made this rule for a long time since 1978," Ace said when confirmed, Monday, February 21. In addition, according to Ace, the regulation regarding the maximum mosque toa volume at 100 decibels (dB) must also have been passed. various studies in the Ministry of Religion. Because, he said, in principle, the sound of the mosque prayer must maintain a comfortable atmosphere for all parties. "We must respect each other," said the chairman of the Golkar DPP.

In fact, said Ace, several Islamic countries have arranged mosque loudspeakers. Among them, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. "In some Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and other countries, there are regulations regarding this loudspeaker," he added.

The West Java legislator also supports the rules that the mosque's prayer must be good or not discordant and use good and correct pronunciation.

"I think this should be the case. The Prophet Muhammad himself taught us to sound the call to prayer in a beautiful and correct voice," said Ace.

Meanwhile, Member of Commission VIII of the DPR from the PKS faction, Bukhori Yusuf, criticized the latest policy of the Ministry of Religion. Bukhori assessed that the guidelines substantially ignore the dynamics of the sociological and cultural conditions of the local community. Given the scope of the circular, it is not only addressed to mosques or prayer rooms in urban areas, but also in rural areas. “The use of loudspeakers in mosques is a tradition of Muslims in Indonesia. For traditional communities who are communal, they have relatively more positive acceptance of the tradition of chanting the call to prayer, remembrance, or recitation aloud through mosque speakers," said Bukhori in Jakarta, Tuesday, February 21.

"In addition to the reason that in communal culture, every individual's behavior is naturally constructed to prioritize the public interest. This tradition also does not find problems when applied in a homogeneous environment such as rural areas," he continued. This Central Java electoral district legislator said, in the construction of community culture in rural areas, The loud sound has been transformed into a 'soundscape' or environmental sound. Thus, said Bukhori, if the frequency or capacity of the sound decreases, weakens, or even disappears, it can affect the spiritual atmosphere of the population who are usually exposed to the chanting sound from the mosque/musala, even if it is carried out loudly.

"It's like something is missing in their daily life," he said. However, the PKS politician agrees that the phenomenon that is considered common in rural areas is not fully accepted by residents in urban areas. Where to live in a heterogeneous, individualistic, and noisy atmosphere, so that tranquility becomes a coveted thing in the midst of the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life. In addition to maintaining social harmony in a heterogeneous environment, it is also important to maintain public sympathy for the religious activities carried out," he said.

"However, in realizing this, it really doesn't need to be done excessively. For example, through state intervention that interferes with technical matters regarding worship, but it is enough to start from a sense of awareness and open-mindedness of the community, especially for the mosque takmir or DKM administrators," he continued. Regarding the importance of supporting community initiatives in realizing social harmony, Bukhori then took the example of the initiatives carried out by Muslims in Bali, where they did not use loudspeakers when Hindus commemorated the Nyepi day out of respect and tolerance.

"It's the other way around with Hindus who understand the use of loudspeakers that are answered by a number of mosques in Bali when welcoming the commemoration of Eid Al-Fitr/Adha even though the number of Muslim minorities there," explained Bukhori.

This member of the Legislative Body also emphasized that loudspeaker regulation should not be accompanied by an element of coercion, but requires a heart-to-heart approach. According to him, those who feel disturbed can convey their objections politely to the takmir.

It is also hoped that the takmir will be understanding, wise, and big-hearted in responding to the dynamics of the community affected by the loudspeakers of the mosque/musala by formulating a solution that is humane and does not reduce the essence of religious symbols in the slightest. tradition or deliberation considering that each village/region has different socio-cultural conditions from one another,” he concluded.