My advice is avoid travelling to Indonesia during their fast month or may end up on the wrong side of the law
Islam’s holiest month is due to begin this weekend, with observant Muslims across the world abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking and sex between sunrise and sunset.
Today, the Indonesian police used a steamroller to crush thousands of bottles of alochol and torched a huge stash of seized drugs ahead to remind the Muslims to abstain from drinking alcohol, which is against Islamic law.
According to a source, over 10,000 bottles of alcohols were crushed in a public display in the courtyard of a police station in the second biggest city of Surabaya on Java Island.
The destroyed haul included many bottles of the national beer, Bintang, as well as other ales and clear plastic containers of homemade liquor, which can be dangerous as it is often mixed with toxic substances.
The beer was being sold at unlicensed premises while the homemade brew was illegally produced.
Local police spokeswoman Lily Djafar said the alcohol was confiscated in the month before Ramadan during an operation across Surabaya
Police in the city also incinerated a large quantity of seized narcotics, including thousands of ecstasy pills and 17 kilograms (37 pounds) of crystal methamphetamine.
Similar operations have been carried out in other parts of Indonesia in recent days, including the capital Jakarta.
About 90 percent of Indonesia’s 255 million inhabitants are Muslim, and most practice a moderate form of Islam. Alcohol is available in major cities and holiday destinations and the country is home to many bars and nightclubs.
However, during Ramadan, nightspots close for the whole month in many parts of Indonesia. In Jakarta, they usually shut for a short period, at the start of the holy month and the end.
Hardline groups such as the Islamic Defenders Front have been known to raid bars and clubs that stay open during Ramadan, although police have warned against any such vigilante activities this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment