Enthusiasm to welcome the 30 days of Ramadan occurs in various regions in Indonesia. In Manokwari itself, there are several Manowari government policy during Ramadan that is carried out. It is important in order to maintain the smooth worship of Muslim residents in Manokwari.
Ramadan in Manokwari
Manokwari is a city in Papua that is known as the city of the Bible. However, many people from various religious and ethnic backgrounds live in this city. One of them is Muslims.
According to the regent of Manokwari, Hermus Indou, Manokwari is not only a reflection of Indonesia’s diverse miniatures, but this city is an example of how different religious communities maintain tolerance.
Therefore, one of the manifestations of religious tolerance can be seen when Muslims in Manokwari fast during Ramadan. The local government has shown support for maintaining religious tolerance by issuing policies so that Muslims can carry out their prayers smoothly and during the month of Ramadan.
Hermus Indou added that Muslims play an important role in the people’s social life in the Manokwari district. Because of that, he hopes that all religious groups in Manokwari can work together to build a prosperous city of Manokwari.
Government Policies in Manokwari during Ramadan
To maintain a tolerance for fasting Muslims, the Papuan government implements a policy during Ramadan. Some of them are as follows.
1. Close Nightclubs and Other Nightlife Venues
One of the government’s policies was realized by issuing a circular on the temporary closure of night entertainment venues such as clubs. This closure will take effect from March 23 to April 22, 2023.
This was conveyed by the Manokwari district’s regent, Hermus Indou. He added that with this policy, his party could minimize all forms of night activities that could potentially disturb the comfort of Muslim residents who perform their prayers, such as Tarawih prayers, reciting the Koran, etc.
2. Limiting the Working Hours of the ASN, P3K, and Job Exempt Employees
In addition to closing nightclubs, the Manokwari district government has also implemented a policy to reduce working hours for employees such as ASN (State Civil Apparatus), P3K (government employees with work agreements), and pegawai honorer (job exempt workers).
During Ramadan, employees’ working hours in the Manokwari district only last until 3 pm local time. That way, they can return to their respective homes to prepare iftar meals when Maghrib arrives.
In addition, each employee has the flexibility to decide whether to work overtime. Even though there are restrictions on working hours, Hermus said that the government would not limit urgent work matters that must be completed immediately.
In fact, the government has implemented a policy of reducing employee working hours every month of Ramadan. So, policies such as those mentioned above are no longer new to the community because, in previous years, these policies have also been practiced during Ramadan.
The government hopes that by reducing working hours, Muslim employees can be free to carry out their prayers to the fullest. For example, preparing dishes for iftar, praying tarawih, and many others.
Hermus Indou explained that Ramadan does not only have its own impact and impression on Muslims of Manokwari. Ramadan is something that has an impact on the benefit of all Manokwari citizens.
In fact, activities such as mudik (going home around Eid day) are carried out by all groups, not only Muslim.
Going forward, the government hopes that the community can continue to maintain inter-religious harmony in Manokwari. Finally, that’s information about Manokwari’s government policy during Ramadan that the government implemented in order to maintain religious tolerance in the city. Manokwari is indeed not only a reflection of Indonesia’s diverse miniatures, but this city is an example of how different religious communities maintain tolerance.
