Jakarta, NU Online
The Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) has called for the closure of night spots in the country for the holy month of Ramadan.<>

"Night spots must be closed to safeguard the holiness of the month," MUI associate chairman KH Ma'ruf Amin said here on Tuesday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He said MUI asked law enforcement agencies to conduct operations to assure that the month of Ramadan would not be spoiled.

He said MUI however did not agree with mass organizations' operations against them.

"MUI hopes there will not be any sweep done. Let us put it in the hands of law enforcement agencies," he said.

He said MUI called on law enforcement agencies to act firmly on any violations that could disrupt fasting such as sales of alcoholic drinks, night entertainment centers and prostitution.

"People also must not be spendthrift that would only bring disadvantages," he said.

Kiai Ma'ruf said MUI would also monitor television and radio stations to prevent broadcasting of programs that carry forecasting, overly comedies or present artists wearing costumes that run against norms of decency.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq