Ministry of Religion Responds to Foreign Media Spotlight on the Sound of Azan in Jakarta Noisy

Jakarta –

The sound of the call to prayer in Jakarta became the spotlight of foreign media because it was considered noisy. The Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, Kamaruddin Amin, emphasized that azan is a call for Muslims to perform prayers.

“The call to prayer is a call to prayer, so it is sounded on time. The duration of the call to prayer is also not long,” said Kamaruddin Amin in his written statement, Sunday (17/10/2021).

However, continued Kamaruddin, the Ministry of Religion had issued the Instructions of the Director General of Islamic Community Guidance in 1978 regarding Guidance on the Use of Loudspeakers in Mosques, Langgar and Mushala. Instruction No. Kep/D/101/1978 was issued in line with the widespread use of loudspeakers by mosques/violations/musalas throughout Indonesia, both for the call to prayer, iqamah, reading verses of the Qur’an, reading prayers, commemorating Islamic holidays, and others.

This in addition to creating religious excitement and adding to the symbols of religious life, in some communities sometimes it also causes an excess of unsympathetic feelings due to its use that does not meet the requirements.

“In order for the use of loudspeakers by mosques / langgar / musala to reach the target and create an attraction for worshiping Allah, at that time, in 1978, it was deemed necessary to issue loudspeaker guidelines to be guided by the administrators of mosques / violators / prayer rooms throughout Indonesia,” explained Kamaruddin.

“I think this rule is still relevant to be applied,” he said.

This instruction, said Kamaruddin, regulates, among other things, the use of external and internal loudspeakers. I heard the call to prayer using the loudspeaker outside because it was a call. While the activities of prayer, recitation and the like use loudspeakers inside.

“So the instructions, which are over 40 years old, have been regulated, when to use the loudspeaker to go outside, when to go inside,” he explained.

At the end of the instruction, it is emphasized that this provision applies to mosques, langgar and musala in urban areas where people tend to be plural and heterogeneous. In rural communities that tend to be homogeneous, things can run as usual. “In accordance with the agreement in the region,” he said.

The following is the Instructions of the Director General of Islamic Community Guidance in 1978 regarding Guidance on the Use of Loudspeakers Voice at the Mosque, Langgar and Mushala:

Speaker Usage Rules
a. External loudspeakers are used for the call to prayer as a marker of prayer times
b. Internal loudspeakers are used for prayer provided they do not raise their voices
c. prioritize a melodious and eloquent voice and do not raise the voice

1. Fajr Time

a. Before dawn, activities can be carried out with loudspeakers at least 15 minutes before the time. This opportunity is for the recitation of the holy verses of the Qur’an.

b. Qur’an recitation activities can use external speakers. While the inside is not channeled so as not to disturb people who are worshiping in the mosque. The dawn call to prayer uses an outdoor speaker.

c. Azan at dawn is done using loudspeakers outside

d. Fajr prayers, dawn lectures and the like use loudspeakers (if needed for the benefit of the congregation) and are only directed inside.

2. Zuhur time and Friday

a. Five minutes before Zuhur and 15 minutes before Zuhur and Friday so that the reading of the Qur’an is filled out.

b. Similarly, the sound of Azan when the time has come.

c. Reading prayers, prayers, announcements, sermons and others using loudspeakers that are directed inward.

3. Asr, Maghrib, and Isha

a. Five minutes before the call to prayer on time, it is recommended to read the Qur’an.

b. When the time for prayer comes, the call to prayer is performed with loudspeakers in and out.

c. After the call to prayer, as at other times, only inside.

4. Takbir, Tarhim, and Ramadan

a. Takbir Eid, Eid is performed with loudspeakers outside. Eid is held on the night of 1 Shawwal and the 1st of Shawwal. Eid is performed 4 days in a row since the night of 10 Dzulhijjah.

b. Tarhim in the form of prayer using a loudspeaker inside. Tarhim dhikr does not use loudspeakers.

c. In the month of Ramadan as in the usual day and night by multiplying the study, the recitation of the Qur’an directed inwards, such as tadarus and others.

5. Ceremony of the great day of Islam and Studies

Tabligh on the great day of Islam or recitation must be delivered by the preacher by paying attention to the condition and circumstances of the congregation.

Because of this, tabligans/recitations only use loudspeakers that are aimed inward, and not externally, because the listener’s reaction is unknown or causes disturbances for those who are resting more than being listened to seriously.

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