The Chaos Of Dog Barking Sounds Can Be Avoided If The Minister Of Religion Chooses Diction

Photo: BPMI Setpres/Rusman

JAKARTA - The statement of the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas is back in the spotlight. On one occasion in explaining the regulation of the use of loudspeakers, the Minister of Religion also gave an example of barking dogs.

As a result, a number of parties feel hot. Even though the Ministry of Religion has also explained that Yaqut is not in the context of comparing, only giving examples. Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, said that public officials could have avoided multiple interpretations. As a public official, the Minister of Religion should be wise in choosing a diction that does not cause multiple interpretations.

"The analogy of a mosque prayer prayer with a dog barking is open to multiple interpretations. On the one hand, the mosque is a holy place for Muslims, while on the other hand dogs are considered unclean animals," Jamiluddin told VOI, Thursday, February 24.

According to him, this in itself can lead to a negative perception of the Minister of Religion's statement. As a result, some Muslims may view this statement as an insult.

"So, the controversy occurred because of two things. First, the Minister of Religion seemed to lack work so he had to regulate the use of mosque toa. In fact, it had been going on for hundreds of years without any significant friction," said Jamiluddin. it is not in question. The colonizers, said Jamiluddin, did not make regulations like those regulated by the current minister of religion.

"Two, the analogy of the prayer prayer of the mosque with the barking of a dog does open up various perceptions. This variety of perceptions is what causes controversy in the community," he continued.

Therefore, Jamiluddin suggested, the minister should not need to regulate matters that are too sensitive, especially those related to religion. "As a public official, you must also be selective in choosing diction so as not to create a wide perception gap. Public officials should think before speaking, not the other way around," said Jamiluddin.

Previously, Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas explained the reason for the Ministry of Religion setting the volume of mosque Toa to a maximum of 100 dB (decibels). In addition, the usage time is adjusted every time before the call to prayer.

Yaqut considered that the rules were made only to create a sense of harmony in the community. Including increasing benefits and reducing those that are not useful.

"This rule was made solely to make our society more harmonious. Increase the benefits and reduce the disadvantages," he said.

Yaqut considered Toa's voices in the mosque to be a form of syiar. Only, if it is turned on at the same time, there will be interference.

"Because we know, for example, in areas where the majority of Muslims are. Almost every 100-200 meters there are mosques. Imagine if at the same time they lit the Toa together at the top. .

"Let's imagine again, I'm Muslim, I live in a non-Muslim environment. Then the house of worship for our non-Muslim brothers and sisters turn on Toa five times a day with loud bangs, that's how it feels," said Yaqut again.

He then gave an example of other sounds that could cause disturbance. One of them is the sound of a dog barking.

"The simplest thing is, if we live in a complex, for example. Left, right, front and back, all keep dogs. For example, barking at the same time, are we disturbed or not? What do these sounds mean? we arrange it so that it does not become a disturbance. Speakers in the mosques are welcome to use, but please arrange them so that they are not disturbed," he said.