naveen mishra
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JAKARTA, Indonesia — Ramadan is coming to a close in the world’s most-populous Muslim country, but the organizer of an innovative jazz festival aimed at bringing youths back to mosque hopes to extend the spirit of the Muslim holy month through music.
Warta Jazz
Jakarta youths flock to Ramadan Jazz festival on July 20 in Cut Meutia mosque.
After successfully attracting thousands of youths Jakarta, the organizer of the Ramadan Jazz festival is looking to extend its reach beyond the main island of Java.
Agus Setiawan Basuni initiated Ramadan Jazz, a two-day jazz performances, in a mosque in downtown Jakarta. The performances began after fast-breaking and tarawih—extra prayers during Ramadan– in the evenings.
“Jazz is for everyone, not just for the haves or the intellects. We want to spread it to places where performances are non-existent,” said Mr. Basuni, one of the founders of local jazz bulletin, “Warta Jazz.”
The Jazz Ramadan, which has been held for three consecutive years on the complex of Cut Meutia mosque in Jakarta, tries to “encourage people to come freely instead of telling them they must pray.”
He’s looking at places in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi islands; tipping Samarinda city in East Kalimantan province as the most likely place to hold similar Ramadan-themed jazz festivals.
The most recent event in late July attracted more than 5,000 visitors, compared with 3,500 in its debut year in 2011. Jazz is becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia. There were only a few jazz festivals a decade ago, but about 40 a year now.
But the number of visitors isn’t Mr. Basuni’s focus.
“It’s about the impact” in changing youths’ perception to “it’s cool to partake in mosque activities,” he said.
His effort is starting to show results. The youth wing organization of the Cut Meutia mosque (RISMA) welcomed 70 new members this year and received nearly 600 applicants who wanted to be volunteers for the Ramadan Jazz event, said 19 year-old Andi Muhammad Raihan, who sits in RISMA’s board.
“This event enables us to strengthen ties among members and with the community,” he said.
In the Jazz Ramadan event, some of the performers are Christian, and non-Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque complex to enjoy the music. The goal is to convey peaceful coexistence between religions, Mr. Basuni said.
About 85% of Indonesia’s 240 million people are Muslim.
Through the Ramadan Jazz event, Mr. Basuni wants to help show that “Islam doesn’t attack anyone.”
-Anastasia Ika contributed to this article.
Jazz festival organizer aims to bring youths back to mosque with music - Southeast Asia Real Time - WSJ
Warta Jazz
Jakarta youths flock to Ramadan Jazz festival on July 20 in Cut Meutia mosque.
After successfully attracting thousands of youths Jakarta, the organizer of the Ramadan Jazz festival is looking to extend its reach beyond the main island of Java.
Agus Setiawan Basuni initiated Ramadan Jazz, a two-day jazz performances, in a mosque in downtown Jakarta. The performances began after fast-breaking and tarawih—extra prayers during Ramadan– in the evenings.
“Jazz is for everyone, not just for the haves or the intellects. We want to spread it to places where performances are non-existent,” said Mr. Basuni, one of the founders of local jazz bulletin, “Warta Jazz.”
The Jazz Ramadan, which has been held for three consecutive years on the complex of Cut Meutia mosque in Jakarta, tries to “encourage people to come freely instead of telling them they must pray.”
He’s looking at places in Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi islands; tipping Samarinda city in East Kalimantan province as the most likely place to hold similar Ramadan-themed jazz festivals.
The most recent event in late July attracted more than 5,000 visitors, compared with 3,500 in its debut year in 2011. Jazz is becoming increasingly popular in Indonesia. There were only a few jazz festivals a decade ago, but about 40 a year now.
But the number of visitors isn’t Mr. Basuni’s focus.
“It’s about the impact” in changing youths’ perception to “it’s cool to partake in mosque activities,” he said.
His effort is starting to show results. The youth wing organization of the Cut Meutia mosque (RISMA) welcomed 70 new members this year and received nearly 600 applicants who wanted to be volunteers for the Ramadan Jazz event, said 19 year-old Andi Muhammad Raihan, who sits in RISMA’s board.
“This event enables us to strengthen ties among members and with the community,” he said.
In the Jazz Ramadan event, some of the performers are Christian, and non-Muslims are allowed to enter the mosque complex to enjoy the music. The goal is to convey peaceful coexistence between religions, Mr. Basuni said.
About 85% of Indonesia’s 240 million people are Muslim.
Through the Ramadan Jazz event, Mr. Basuni wants to help show that “Islam doesn’t attack anyone.”
-Anastasia Ika contributed to this article.
Jazz festival organizer aims to bring youths back to mosque with music - Southeast Asia Real Time - WSJ
