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[malu]

I am somewhat theologically challenged and know very little about Islamic jurisprudence so I searched English language Islamic websites for inspiration on what is the bane of my life here in Indonesia.

[paste] Shaykh Ibn �Uthaymeen was asked:

In recent times it has become very common for the imams of mosques to use outdoor loudspeakers, which are usually placed in the minaret and the volume is set very high. By doing this, some mosques disturb one another in the prayers in which Qur�aan is recited out loud, by using these loudspeakers for the recitation. What is the ruling on using loudspeakers for the prayers in which Qur�aan is recited out loud when the sound from the minaret will disturb other mosques?

He replied:

What you have mentioned about using loudspeakers on the minaret for the prayers in which Qur�aan is recited out loud is something that is not allowed, because it causes a lot of disturbance for the people in houses and other mosques nearby. Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) narrated in al-Muwatta� (178), from Sharh al-Zarqaani in Baab al-�Aml fi�l-Qiraa�ah (How Qur�aan is to be recited) from al-Bayaadi Farwah ibn �Amr � may Allaah be pleased with him � that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) went out to the people when they were praying, and their voices were loud in recitation, and he said: � A worshipper is conversing with his Lord, so let him think about the One with Whom he is conversing. Do not raise your voices above one another when reciting Qur�aan.�

[laughing_magpie06]

Those things bellowing out were one of the reasons I left Jakarta. With a young baby who needed his sleep (and myself too) it got frustrating and annoying to be woken up at 4am on a regular basis with all of us having to settle back to sleep. To move was not an option as you usually have to sign up for a year at least to live anywhere in Jakarta and most liekly the new area will have the same problem. For a religion which punishes those who leave their fold you would think they may be more tolerant towards those who are not muslim in the hope they may pick up a convert or two. But it seems they want to piss off those who don't follow their way.

[tanyakenapa]

They also have a great habit of watching TV at the highest volume possible.

Another habit is using any type of mircophone in even the smallest room... to get their message across, be it a wedding ceremony (I dont mean a church ceremony) a meeting of housewives, a local RT meeting..

[Fishy]

I can't understand the microphone thing either, I've seen teachers use them recently in meetings in a class room too, and why they broadcast the wedding to the whole world is a bit funny too. During labaran we had three days of continuous dangdut next door!

At my house every weekend I have the mosque going off first, followed by the Buddhist temple chanting at around 9.00am, and then the Christians are the loudest from around 12 for a few hours of their stuff. I quite like the Buddhist bit, don't know why..

[guruengerish]

Some years ago, I flew into Jayapura from Lae (Papua New Guinea) for a Christmas break.

I stayed at a Christian hostel, and for the first time ever, saw some intense competition for who could make the loudest noise on their speakers.

The church had 24hrs a day for three days of non-stop hymns and carols, including numerous items by the Chipmunks!

It was bad, believe me, and I was sure glad I had packed some industrial ear plugs. No, there was no other accommodation available!

However, the award for the most mosques per 100 sq metres and by far the noisiest, goes to Malang. Not only is there a mosque every 300 metres (I checked!) but they start according to the time the sun rises, and in the far east of Java, it rises very early indeed.

[malu]

The 5x call to prayer I can live with. It goes with the territory.

What pisses me off most are childrens' screeching contests (for want of a better descriptor), stupid announcements, and mosque administrative meetings that just HAVE to be broadcast to the whole area. Who the heck wants to know that Pak Acep sends his salaam but has plumbing problems to deal with? If I was a Muslim trying to pray or read the Koran at home I would have to give up.

My upstairs balcony has a commanding view of the nearest mosque and I am tempted to broadcast a few Xmas carols as yuletide draws near...

[Gajah Oling]

I think it was last Idul Adha, when they have the all night Tak Biran. You know how they have all the kids doing the recitations... So the kids are passing the mic around, it's all cute and sh*t, and then one of the kids who's passed the mic starts singing "Oh, Oh, kamu Ketahuan..." He/She (couldn't tell the gender) got through almost the whole chorus before the mic was snatched from their hand. I'm sure that kid got no goat for breakfast.

[tanyakenapa]

they do malam Takbiran for both Idul Fitri and Idul Adha...

LOL that would have been hilarious... and that song is sooo annoying after hearing it just once!!!!

[Mr_Magoo]

THEY are enjoying their cultural and religious heritage.

YOU are annoyed.

WHO is right?

[malu]

...yawn.. sling your trolling hook elsewhere, Mr M. I'm not biting today.

[laughing_magpie06]

Ok i'll bite. The cornerstone of any civilised society is to respect your fellow citizen. It is not written in stone but something we do simply because we know it is the right thing. For example, I won't play my favourite Black Sabbath CD on full volume at 2am as I know I may wake up 1. babies 2. shift workers 3. the sick or elderly. As much as i'd like to i'll pass knowing my fellow citizen would be discomforted. Instead i'll read a book or watch the late movie (at a respectable volume).

Now my former neighbours in Jakarta knew we had a 2 month old baby and they chose to play dangdut music one day for 24 hours. We were forced to find shelter for the night at a relative's house. Then when Idul Fitri came about we had to stay in a hotel for two nights to escape the 48 hours of drums. Did anyone care?

[Gav22]

I lived in Depok for a year in a "Pesona" that was surrounded by no less than six mosques. I was woken up the first night I arrived by loud screaming sounds, which i was later told were prayers... after that, I honestly have to say I never even heard it again unless i was already awake. But I can understand the frustration.

I would say, as I would say to the Muslims here in the UK who bitterly complain about how our women are wh*res and we live in sin - if you don't like the way a country is when you move there, move to another one! There are plenty of places out there that will suit your needs and respect your values.

That's not saying I don't empathize though, but it is the way it is, and as far as I can see, it always will be..... unless the Hindu's chose to take back Java, then Jakarta will smell of insence rather than shit, and the praying will be a little easier on the ears.

[Mr_Magoo]

Complaining about 24 hour Dangdut marathons I can understand.

Complaining about mosques is ridiculous. You do know that you're not home in Kansas now, Dorothy.

[malu]

I wonder which lost soul has been reincarnated as Mr M?

Cyberspace is thick with the souls of the undead, erstwhile parishioners of our little forum - those whose artistic differences with the moderators resulted in their departure.

[Mr_Magoo]

It appears that you are very unhappy here in Indonesia, Dorothy.

Let us hope, for your sake, the government bans the use of loudspeakers and any religious ceremony which you may consider too loud.

I suppose that you are happy to erect a Christmas tree, get drunk for a week over the holidays, and continue to complain that it's not the same without snow.

Poor, sensitive Dorothy