Semarang – Batang Regent Yoyok Riyo Sudibyo has issued a circular calling on civil servants, military and police officers, schools, Islamic boarding schools and private companies in the regency of Central Java to conduct a salat berjamaah (joint prayer).
"People should stop all activities upon hearing adzan [prayer call] and immediately go to a nearby mosque to conduct the obliged prayer," demands the circular as quoted by tempo.co.
The Religion and Social Studies Institute (Elsa) director Tedi Kholiluddin viewed the circular as a good move but said that it should not have been issued on behalf of the regency administration.
"Why did he use his authority? As leader of the regency, he should be neutral from any religious claims," Tedi said on Sunday.
Yoyok along with Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini received the prestigious Bung Hatta Anti-Corruption Award 2015.