House Of Representatives Commission VIII: The Minister Of Religion's Appeal Regarding The Prohibition Of Loudspeakers In Mosques Must Be Positive

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives Ace Hasan Syadzily assessed that the Ministry of Religion's appeal through Circular (SE) which contained rules for using loudspeakers in mosques and prayer rooms must be understood as a positive recommendation.

According to him, the holy month of Ramadan should be used as a momentum to maintain harmony between religious communities and Islam. "The appeal not to use this outer loudspeaker must be understood so that we maintain comfort in society and maintain a harmonious social environment," said Ace, Monday, March 11. The West Java electoral district Golkar legislator views that the Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas does not intend to limit the worship of Muslims. Because he said, Muslims are not prohibited from carrying out tarawih prayers in prayer rooms and mosques.

"I don't think the Minister of Religion intends to limit it. Tarawih is not prohibited or restricted," said Ace. Ramadan Momentum, he added, should indeed increase worship such as tarawih and read the Koran. However, there is no need to use loudspeakers. "There is no recommendation in Islamic teachings so that we use loudspeakers in carrying out worship during Ramadan," explained Ace. Previously, the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas again reminded the rules for using loudspeakers ahead of Ramadan 1445 Hijri/2024. This rule is contained in a circular letter that was actually published on February 18, 2022.

Among other things, regulating the volume of loudspeakers is regulated according to need and the maximum is 100 dB (one hundred pieces of conversation). One of the points that caused controversy is regulating the use of loudspeakers in places of worship.

So that the implementation of Tarawih Prayers, Ramadan lectures/studies, and tadarus Al-Qur'an is carried out using Deep Loudspeakers. The use of loudspeakers in mosques and prayer rooms has become a tradition and need for one of the Islamic sharia media in the community. However, this rule does not apply to takbir Eid in mosques/musalas that can be done using Outer Loudspeakers. The time is limited to 22.00 local time and after that it can be continued by using Internal Loudspeakers.