T

he Jakarta administration has thrown its support behind the Indonesia Ulema Council’s (MUI) decision to issue an edict against the holding of mass prayers that block main roads, leading to traffic jams.

Deputy Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, a Christian, said the administration agreed with MUI and would help communicate the edict to the city’s residents.

Ahok said the administration would put up messages about the edict on billboards and TV.

“The messages will be seen and read by the citizens, especially organizers of the religious activities who often use the roads and closing them, causing trouble for fellow citizens,” Ahok told reporters. Despite the inconvenience of chaotic traffic jams created by mass prayers, sermon groups led by clerics have gained popularity among Muslim youths in Jakarta in the past few years.

The sermon groups, led by clerics claiming to be descendants of the Prophet Muhammad, have distinctive features that set them apart. They block roads to accommodate their audiences at the expense of motorists caught in traffic congestion, which usually lasts for more than four hours.

Ahok said the main roads could not be used by citizens for private activities. “Roads are the police’s jurisdiction. We cannot enforce the Traffic Law, but we will help the MUI to communicate the edict.”

Ahok acknowledged that the city did not have enough public space, which could have been the reason that prayers were held on roads.

“We’ll provide more public function halls integrated in our planned cheap apartment towers,” he said.

On Thursday, officials from the MUI Jakarta chapter, who opposed Ahok’s candidacy in last year’s gubernatorial election, and local Interfaith Communication Forum (FKUB) met with Ahok.

MUI Jakarta secretary general Samsul Maarif demanded the city administration enforce the bylaw on public order, especially against massive prayers blocking streets.

— JP/Andreas D. Arditya