DPR's Response To The Mosque Loudpeakers Vs Barking Dogs

Illustration/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The statement of the Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has again drawn controversy. After issuing circulars regulating the use of loudspeakers in mosques and prayer rooms, Yaqut then gave an example of this rule by barking dogs.

At first, Yaqut only explained about the rules for the call to prayer. His party said he did not prohibit the use of loudspeakers for Islamic symbols.

"Regarding the rules for the call to prayer, we have issued a circular regulation. We do not prohibit mosques from using loudspeakers, no. Go ahead. Because it is the symbol of Islam," said Yaqut at the Riau Province Regional Building, Wednesday, February 23.

Even so, he asked loudspeakers' volume to be set to a maximum of 100 dB (decibels). In addition, the usage time is adjusted every time before the call to prayer.

"But this must be regulated how the speaker volume cannot be loud, 100 dB maximum. It is set when they can start using the speaker before and after the call to prayer. There is no prohibition," Yaqut emphasized.

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 loudspeakers' 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 loudspeakers 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 Loudspeakers 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.

Yaqut then asked that loudspeakers' voices be timed. So the intention to broadcast does not cause a public disturbance.

"So that the intention to use speakers as a means, doing syiar can still be carried out and does not interfere," said Yaqut.

Inevitably, Yaqut's statement then caused a misunderstanding. As minister of religion, Yaqut was asked to choose the right diction to explain to the public.

His statement was also sharply highlighted by Islamic parties. How did he respond?

PKB

The National Awakening Party (PKB) asked the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, not to make a fuss with controversial statements.

"PKB has asked the Minister of Religion to limit his statements so as not to cause a commotion in the community," said Deputy Secretary of the PKB DPP Syuro Council, KH Maman Imanulhaq to reporters, Thursday, February 24.

PKB also asked the Minister of Religion Yaqut to focus on his work and efforts to help President Joko Widodo. Especially in carrying out government affairs in the field of religion towards the vision of President Joko Widodo.

"PKB asked the Minister of Religion to take care of substantial matters rather than just a prayer, let alone talking nonsense," he continued.

Maman assessed that a statement without considering the sensitivity of the Indonesian public's plurality is actually counterproductive to the current government's work. Moreover, he said, President Joko Widodo repeatedly reminded the ranks of the central government to use good communication methods.

Maman said PKB has always supported the government of President Joko Widodo and Vice President Maruf Amin, who are now serious about building equitable infrastructure and superior human resources (HR).

"Don't even burden the presidential assistants with matters or issues that are not essential, counterproductive, and controversial," said Maman.

In contrast to Maman, the Deputy Secretary-General of the PKB DPP Luqman Hakim assessed that there was nothing wrong with Gus Yaqut's statement regarding the need for rules for using loudspeakers or toa in mosques and prayer rooms.

Nor did the Minister of Religion Yaqut say that loud voices can disturb the peace of society by exemplifying the sound of "dog barking".

According to the Head of PP GP Ansor, anything that has the potential to disturb the peace of the community must be regulated so as not to create social disharmony. Because according to Luqman, it is one of the government's tasks.

"So, I hope that Gus Yaqut's statement does not have to be twisted or stir-fried to cause a commotion," said Luqman when contacted by VOI, Thursday, February 24.

The Deputy Chairman of Commission II of the DPR assessed that those who took issue with Gus Yaqut's statement were simply seeking attention, social climbing, and lack of work. Especially if you want to take the matter to the police.

"The more it reads, the motive is just seeking attention. There's nothing wrong with wanting to report it to the police. However, if there is something wrong and wants to report Gus Yaqut to the police, go ahead. That's fine. feel happy, I invite you. Isn't making other people happy, is worship?," Luqman explained.

PPP

The chairman of the DPR RI PPP faction, Arsul Sani, regretted the Minister of Religion's statement regarding the sound of the mosque prayer with the barking of dogs. According to him, Minister of Religion Yaqut's statement made the community noisy.

"PPP considers the statement of the Minister of Religion to "equalize" the call to prayer with the barking of dogs as an unwise statement and only provokes a commotion," said Arsul, Thursday, February 23.

However, the Deputy General Chair of the PPP believes that Yaqut's statement does not mean what other people think.

"I believe the Minister of Religion did not mean to degrade the call to prayer as a sign of the time to enter and the call to prayer for Muslims with the parable of a dog barking," he said.

The deputy chairman of the MPR said Yaqut should understand that there is sensitivity among Muslims regarding his statement. Thus, he asked the Minister of Religion to be wiser in choosing diction.

"Indifference to the correct and wise diction from anyone, including public figures such as high-ranking state officials, will result in a reaction to rising identity politics, which should be our duty to minimize it, not enlarge the space," he said.

PKS

The chairman of the PKS faction, Jazuli Juwaini, assessed that the statement by the Minister of Religion Yaqut Qoumas who made an analogy to the call to prayer from a loudspeaker with the barking of a dog was very unethical and outrageous.

He also asked the Minister of Religion to immediately clarify his remarks and apologize to the public. Because the call to prayer is a religious symbol for Muslims, namely the call to pray five times a day.

"Yaqut's statement is outrageous, unethical, and inappropriate. We ask for immediate clarification and apologies," said Jazuli to reporters, Thursday, February 24.

According to this member of Commission I of the DPR, echoing the call to prayer through loudspeakers has been the wisdom of Muslims in Indonesia for a long time. So far, said Jazuli, there has been no problem because the nation places great emphasis on tolerance.

"People of other religions are not disturbed and can live peacefully side by side. Also, Muslims in minority areas can also accept symbols of worship of other religions, such as mass or service events or road closures and cessation of activities during Nyepi events such as on the Island of the Gods," Jazuli explained.

For this reason, the Banten Electoral District Legislator asked the Ministry of Religion not to regulate the issue of loudly echoing the call to prayer through loudspeakers, as if causing a big problem in the community.

Jazuli said that it was left to the wisdom of the religious community. The government, he said, should prioritize narratives and strengthen tolerance, not regulate things that have been going on for a long time, and full of tolerance in the community.

"Playing the call to prayer through loudspeakers has been the wisdom of Muslims in Indonesia for years. Other people live side by side with the call to prayer and are full of tolerance. When the government regulates things that have become wisdom, especially with bad narratives, the result becomes a polemic that counterproductive," said Jazuli.

Jazuli added that the statement of the minister of religion did not represent tolerance, because he was so adamant in controlling the sound of the call to prayer that he made an analogy with the barking of a dog.

"This Ministry of Religion is not newly formed, Yaqut is also not the first minister of religion. There have been many ministers of religion before, but this is not the way to manage people. The Minister of Religion must use common sense and wisdom," concluded Jazuli.