Executives of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization, Nadhlatul Ulama for East Java, reject Ramadan sweeps because of their violent nature, which is deemed contrary to the spirit of the holy month.

"We reject the raids because people should not resort to violence in order to preserve the spirit of Ramadan, but rather should remind, in good faith, those who stray," Miftachul Akhyar told Kompas on Tuesday.

Achyar, who is also the supervisor of an Islamic boarding school in Kedungtarukan, Surabaya, said resorting to force during Ramadan would only create a false image of Islam as being analogous with violence.

"Islam should not cause fear in people's hearts. Its tenets are taught with wisdom. An example of this is by referring to the police or authorities whenever inappropriate behavior arises," he said, adding that violence would only cause perceived transgressors to harden their stance.

Achyar also advised gubernatorial and regential candidates, as well as deputy candidates, to avoid turning Islam's holiest month into a campaign vehicle.

"Ramadan should purely be devoted to worship, while other matters like the gubernatorial and regential elections should be put on the back burner for the time being. If Ramadan is politicized, the spirit of worship will dissipate," he said. (amr)