SOLO, INDONESIA —
The Solo municipal administration in Indonesia says it will uphold religious tolerance during the Ramadan fasting month and crackdown on ‘sweepings’, which are raids by militant Islamists against places that serve alcohol and other activities they consider sinful.
Solo Vice Mayor Achmad Purnomo said respect toward others' beliefs and religion needs to be maintained in order to create the spirit of tolerance and peace. He added the police will take care of order and security.
In recent years, 'sweepings' by hardline Islamist groups have led to violence and other problems in Solo and other Indonesian cities.
In recent years, 'sweepings' by hardline Islamist groups have led to violence and other problems in Solo and other Indonesian cities.
Police spokesman Sis Raniwati said the local police stand ready to crackdown on ‘sweepings.' He added that the police will conduct inspections at hotels, cafes, legally-sanctioned prostitution complexes, and other places that focus on the sale and distribution of liquor.
The Solo administration is also calling on shopping malls, hotels and nightclubs to show respect during fasting month by avoiding the sale of alcohol and not facilitating any kind of gambling.
This story origniallly appeared on VOA's Indonesian service.
This story origniallly appeared on VOA's Indonesian service.
