MUI CALLS FOR TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF NIGHTSPOT ACTIVITY DURING RAMADHAN

Serang, Aug 21 (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) of Banten province KH Wahab Aprif called for a temporary closure of nightspot activity during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

"Ramadhan is only one week to go," he said here on Wednesday evening.

He called on district and municipal administrations to issue a decision on a temporary closure of nightspot activity in Banten province during Ramadhan.

The temporary closure was not only aimed at respecting muslims in conducting their fasting activity during the month of Ramadhan, but also avoiding possible outbreak of conflict between the management of nightspot and other Islamic community organizations.

Therefore, his side hoped that district heads and mayors in Banten province would be able to support temporary closure of nightspot businesses during Ramadhan.

In response to MUI's call, Chief of the information, youths, culture and tourism of Lebak administration office Edi Wahyudi said his office really supported the MUI's request.

According to him, his side would discuss this matter with the management of nightsports in his district. "In principle, I really agree to temporary closure of nightspot activity during Ramadhan."In the meantime, some residents in Banten in the run up to the fasting month had already urged the local administration to immediately issue such circulars prohibiting the management of nightspot to continue their business activities during Ramadhan.

The police in Banten were also reported to have raided into some entertainment places and traders allegedly selling alchoholic drinks.