I woke up this morning felt blessed. I didn’t hear people shouting from the mosques through very loud speakers anymore. That had been happening almost 24 hours. Yesterday was Idul Adha or hajj religious holiday. Its celebrated to honor the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, Ismail as an act of obedience to God. For it God instead replaced the sacrifice with a ram…Nowadayas, sacrificing rams or cows is a symbol of solidarity to the poorer. I would like to say Happy Idul Adha to everybody who celebrate the glorious day.
The purpose, c'est magnifique! , but the way to celebrate it is in my concern, mostly with the noise from the mosques. I’m not sure since when these people believe that they can make noise based on their own religious value and ignore public concern. When I grew up on the 80’s, I heard of beautiful bedug to call everybody for praying. Just it!! 5 times a day and no more noise from everywhere, every direction and make confused who saying what and where. If there’s any speaker then must be special occasion like Idul Fitri & Idul Adha. It usually came from the biggest mosque, so need more attention from everybody, and only one was on “live” so everybody could listen in peace. Its understood, pas vrai? On Friday Prayer was quiet special too, but they use speaker only for internal used; inside the mosque-not for all of the town necessity. In Java we called, Tepo Sliro-having caring of what others feeling.
Then I didn’t pay attention about it and suddenly it’s like a party time every time praying time comes and not only that, they also shout loudly at anytime they want it to be in daily basis. Pas gentil, ça.
I remember when the first time I moved in Kuningan area, Setiabudi Jakarta. I was so exhausted from moving in & tired from working. A mosque near by continuously making noise from 6pm from the day before, untill morning the next day. What the heck they were thinking? We didn’t even know the Arabic language, I can read it but don’t know what it means or did he or anybody? I can handle 5 times calling prayer; 5 minutes at a time, but not going on and on. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not kind of hatred person…I just think what happen with noise from the mosques is too much.
I was a bit furious and wanted to talk to the person in the mosque if they can take easy on it, but let face the fact that in this country not work that way. I made decision to call the police…(What the heck was I thinking?)
After trying many different numbers and transferring to different officers, I introduce myself to one of officer in duty and told them what the problem was…basically I was asking some help which work both sides; the religious purpose & our rights as residents to live in harmony environment. I thought by call the police which one main duty is serve the citizen so people can reside hand in hand in serenity, they would listen and gave satisfying away out…but guess what that police officer suggested? He said,”Ough well, Maam…I suggest that you and your family should move if you don’t like our culture.”
Pas possible !Oh la la…Excuse moi? I was in shocked!! I would love to argue with him that first of all that is nothing cultural on it and he should get back to the police academy with his attitude…but I was tired and I figured out that would be wasting of time…
When I told my boyfriend, Harry what the officer said, he gave a solution to go out somewhere until the mosque’s person had finished what he needed to do. The solution becomes a habit and applied till todayJ
Sometimes I ask myself till when I’m going to run away? Will the police do something about it? Will the government do something? Is there any better solution for us? Is there anybody out there who feel the same thing like I do? If there’s any, what do they do?
I can assure you that I’m not a person who against Moslem people, but I would like to discuss how the habit from the mosques is kind of going to far; from my point of view; and it almost showing like an arrogance towards the others.
This is not too late to change and what we need to do is communicate. Emotion will not solve anything nor ignoring it… Qui veut nous aider ?
P.S: Pour que tu comprennes la situation et que tu sois à l'aise…(So that you understand the situation and you feel comfortable…)
