Bandung, West Java (ANTARA News) - Religious Affairs Minister Suryadarma Ali has asked Islamic organizations in the country not to conduct sweeps on entertainment centers ahead of the Islamic fasting month.

He made the call at the University of Sunan Gunung Djati here on Friday saying Islamic organizations had often shown a predisposition for violence in dealing with problems.

Therefore, he said, they must never resort to brutality when dealing with differences, adding that only the police had the right to conduct sweeps.

"We hope the fasting month that will come soon will proceed peacefully. In order to make Muslims able to carry out their religious duty properly non-Muslims are expected to show tolerance and respect. In case of a religious besmirching by other community groups let the law enforcement authorities deal with it," he said.

"Just report the case if they find a case they feel disturbing their religious activity and let law enforcement agents deal with it," he said.

Next week, he said, his office would announce the first day of fasting, based on the agreement between clerics and the government on the results of calculations and sighting of the moon.(*)