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West Java district to ban TV in favor of more Islamic studies for kids
Jakarta Globe - July 5, 2015
Dedi Mulyadi, the head of Purwakarta district, told Tempo on Sunday that the ban would run from maghrib, the fourth prayer of the day that Muslims are obliged to conduct and which coincides with sunset, until after isya, the fifth and final prayer, which at this time of year falls shortly after 7 p.m.
"Right now, the custom of praying in a congregation and reciting the Koran and studying from maghrib until isya has been badly degraded," he said.
He blamed "useless" TV programming during that period for children's reluctance to immerse themselves in Islamic studies, and said the holy month of Ramadan, when most people ramp up their piety, was the perfect time to roll out the new policy.
Dedi acknowledged that the ban would not be popular, but said he had already discussed it with community leaders and ward and subdistrict chiefs. "I've ordered them to promote this program of no television between maghrib and isya," he said.
It is unclear how he plans to enforce the ban, which as it currently stands is not even in the form of a bylaw or regulation, rendering it legally toothless.
Dedi said it was important for that his policy, part of his "save the children" campaign, should succeed, and called on parents to take part in it.
The campaign apparently does not extend to the district head himself, who was accused earlier this year of fathering a baby with a ninth-grade student at an Islamic school. Police said in April that they would conduct a paternity test on Dedi after the allegations surfaced, but there has been no follow-up since.
Source: http://thejakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/west-java-district-ban-tv-favor-islamic-studies-kids/.
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