LAKSAMANA.Net, October 15, 2004 11:50 PM
FPI to Conduct Ramadhan Patrols
Laksamana.Net - The radical Islamic Defenders' Front (FPI), notorious for attacking
nightlife venues in Jakarta, has said it will take the law into its own hands if city
officials fail to close down bars and nightclubs during the Muslim fasting month of
Ramadhan, which started Friday (15/10/04).
Jafar Sidik, commander of the FPI Paramilitary Troops, said the group would on
Saturday night commence a series of "sweeping processions" in areas where
entertainment venues are located, to ensure they are closed.
"During the month of Ramadhan this year, we will conduct the processions in the
framework of supervising places of entertainment. We will start on Saturday night in
North Jakarta," he was quoted as saying by detikcom online news portal.
"We will conduct the processions in turn in all five municipal districts of the city in
turn. No matter which areas, our monitoring will continue," he said.
"Yesterday, thanks be to God, our friends in East Jakarta have cleaned up the
immoral places," he added.
Sidik said non-Muslims and Muslims alike must respect the sensitivities of those who
are fasting over Ramadhan.
"We have distributed stickers with the slogan 'Hey brother, this Ramadhan respect
the people who fast. Don't smoke, eat or drink on the sidewalk'."
Sidik warned that FPI would not hesitate to "reprimand" those who do not respect the
holy month.
"We will see later. We will give warnings. If indeed they are obstinate and they are
Muslims, action must be taken against them," he said.
"Non-Muslims, including tourists, must also show respect," he added.
Sidik pointed out that religious activities are respected throughout Indonesia. "In Bali,
the airport is closed during Nyepi [the Hindu New Year], even though Hindus make up
only 1.8% of the population in Indonesia. Whereas we Muslims account for more than
80% of the population."
Ramadhan Rules
About 89% of Indonesia's 220 million people are Muslims, but many do not strictly
follow the tenets of Islam, preferring to combine the religion with traditional spiritual
and cultural beliefs.
Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink, smoke, curse and engage in sexual intercourse
from sunrise until sunset during Ramadhan.
It is also forbidden to: masturbate; have wet dreams; apply medication via the anus;
swallow any non-food substances (flies that accidentally enter the mouth don't count);
pour oil into the ears; consume phlegm (drinking saliva is permitted, as long as it not
mixed with blood); induce vomiting; and apply drops of medicine into the nostrils.
Furthermore, women must not undergo medical tests that involve instruments being
inserted into the vagina.
Bar None?
Over recent years, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso has issued an annual decree that
prohibits nightclubs, discos, bars, saunas, massage parlors, gaming centers and
brothels from operating during Ramadhan.
Many of the city's nightspots get around the ban by posing as cafes or restaurants,
which are generally permitted to operate during Ramadhan from 7.30pm to 12.30am -
except over six days considered especially holy.
FPI in the past has criticized city officials for failing to strictly enforce Ramadhan
closures.
Over the past three years, police have been noticeably stricter in forcing bars to close
after midnight, although a few venues have managed to remain open, catering to the
needs of the city's alcoholics and lechers.
FPI was established in August 1998 and soon became notorious for attacking bars,
nightclubs, brothels, pool halls and other entertainment venues deemed an affront to
Islam.
The organization significantly toned down its violent activities after the October 2002
Bali nightclub bombings, which have been blamed on regional terrorism group Jemaah
Islamiyah.
Prior to the Bali blasts, authorities had generally turned a blind eye to FPI's raids on
nightspots, lending credence to claims the organization was backed by powerful
officials in the security forces.
FPI has long demanded the destruction of nightspots on the grounds that they are
hangouts of prostitutes, gamblers and drug abusers.
Critics claim that FPI has at times been in cahoots with police and soldiers, and
sometimes in competition with them, to extort protection money from owners of
nightspots.
Less than a month after the Bali bombings, FPI pledged to end its violent raids. But
the group in February 2003 announced it was making a comeback and threatened to
attack Westerners. It also urged Muslims to sign up to fight Americans in Iraq.
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