Latest news with #Septura
Associated Press
20-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Muslims who regret their tattoos seek free removal service during Ramadan
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Teguh Islean Septura groans in pain as each staccato rat-a-tat-tat of the laser fires an intense beam at the elaborate tattoos on his arm. But the former musician's determination to 'repent' in the holy month of Ramadan is enough to keep him going. The 30-year-old guitarist got his back, arms and legs tattooed to 'look cool' when he was performing in a band. But these days Septura has a newfound zeal for Islam, including the conviction that Muslims should not alter the body that God gave them. 'As humans, sometimes we make mistakes. Now I want to improve myself by moving closer to God,' Seputra said, as a health worker aimed the white laser wand at Septura's skin, blasting the red, green and black pigments with its penetrating light. 'God gave me clean skin and I ruined it, that's what I regret now.' Septura is among a growing number of people in Indonesia's capital who have signed up for free tattoo removal services offered by Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organization, during Ramadan to give practicing Muslims an opportunity to 'repent.' Launched in 2019, the tattoo removal program is now held every Ramadan, a month of fasting, increased worship, religious reflection and good deeds. Some 700 people have signed up for the services this year, and in total nearly 3,000 people have taken part. 'We want to pave the way for people who want to hijrah (to move closer to God), including those who want to remove their tattoos' said Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, a coordinator of the event. He added that many people cannot afford to remove their tattoos or know where and how they can do so safely. Laser removal, which takes repeated treatment and may not be completely successful, could cost thousands of dollars for tattoos as extensive as Septura's. Tattooing remains strongly associated with gangs and criminality in some Asian cultures. In addition to the religious prohibitions in Muslim-majority Indonesia, ideas about tattoos also reveal oppressive attitudes toward women, who if tattooed can be labeled as promiscuous or disreputable and not worth marrying. Sri Indrayati, 52, said she tattooed the name of her first daughter on her hand shortly after she gave birth to her at the age of 22. She said she regretted it when her two grandchildren kept asking her to erase it because it looked like dirty, thick marker writing. 'When I take my grandson to school, (the children) whisper to each other: 'look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!' she said. Another woman, Evalia Zadora, got a tattoo of a large star on her back and the words 'Hope, Love and Rock & Roll' on her upper chest as a teen to gain acceptance into a gang. She wants to remove them now to move closer to God and out of consideration for her family. 'Bad image (against people with tattoos) is not a big deal for me, but it affected my husband and son,' said Zadora, 36. 'They are not comfortable with my tattoos and I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.
Arab Times
20-03-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Muslims with tattoo regrets flock to a free removal service during Ramadan
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 20, (AP): Teguh Islean Septura groans in pain as each staccato rat-a-tat-tat of the laser fires an intense beam at the elaborate tattoos on his arm. But the former musician's determination to "repent' in the holy month of Ramadan is enough to keep him going. The 30-year-old guitarist got his back, arms, and legs tattooed to "look cool' when he was performing in a band. But these days Septura has a newfound zeal for Islam, including the conviction that Muslims should not alter the body that God gave them. "As humans, sometimes we make mistakes. Now I want to improve myself by moving closer to God,' Seputra said, as a health worker aimed the white laser wand at Septura's skin, blasting the red, green, and black pigments with its penetrating light. "God gave me clean skin and I ruined it, that's what I regret now." Septura is among a growing number of people in Indonesia's capital who have signed up for free tattoo removal services offered by Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organization, during Ramadan to give practicing Muslims an opportunity to "repent." Launched in 2019, the tattoo removal program is now held every Ramadan, a month of fasting, increased worship, religious reflection, and good deeds. Some 700 people have signed up for the services this year, and in total nearly 3,000 people have taken part. "We want to pave the way for people who want to hijrah (to move closer to God), including those who want to remove their tattoos' said Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, a coordinator of the event. He added that many people cannot afford to remove their tattoos or know where and how they can do so safely. Laser removal, which takes repeated treatment and may not be completely successful, could cost thousands of dollars for tattoos as extensive as Septura's. Tattooing remains strongly associated with gangs and criminality in some Asian cultures. In addition to the religious prohibitions in Muslim-majority Indonesia, ideas about tattoos also reveal oppressive attitudes toward women, who if tattooed can be labeled as promiscuous or disreputable and not worth marrying. Sri Indrayati, 52, said she tattooed the name of her first daughter on her hand shortly after she gave birth to her at the age of 22. She said she regretted it when her two grandchildren kept asking her to erase it because it looked like dirty, thick marker writing. "When I take my grandson to school, (the children) whisper to each other: 'look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!' she said. Another woman, Evalia Zadora, got a tattoo of a large star on her back and the words "Hope, Love and Rock & Roll' on her upper chest as a teen to gain acceptance into a gang. She wants to remove them now to move closer to God and out of consideration for her family. "Bad image (against people with tattoos) is not a big deal for me, but it affected my husband and son,' said Zadora, 36. "They are not comfortable with my tattoos and I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.
Express Tribune
20-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Indonesian Muslims flock to free tattoo removal service to atone during Ramadan
Listen to article A growing number of people in Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, are flocking to a free tattoo removal service offered by the Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity, to 'repent' during the holy month of Ramadan. The service aims to help practicing Muslims who wish to rid themselves of tattoos, seen by some as conflicting with religious beliefs. Teguh Islean Septura, a 30-year-old former musician, is among those seeking to remove tattoos as part of his spiritual journey. Having covered his body with tattoos in his youth to 'look cool' while performing in a band, Septura now regrets his past decisions. 'God gave me clean skin, and I ruined it. That's what I regret now,' he said as the laser worked on his tattoos. Septura believes Muslims should not alter the body that God has given them and is determined to improve himself and grow closer to God during Ramadan. Launched in 2019, the tattoo removal program is now held every year during Ramadan. This year, over 700 people have signed up for the free service, and nearly 3,000 people have benefited from it since its inception. Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, a coordinator for the event, explained that the initiative is meant to pave the way for those seeking to 'move closer to God' and 'repent' by removing tattoos. Many participants are unable to afford the high costs of professional tattoo removal, which can run into thousands of dollars for large, detailed tattoos. Tattooing remains a controversial practice in some Asian cultures, including Muslim-majority Indonesia. Beyond religious prohibitions, tattoos in Indonesia are often associated with criminality and gangs, and in some cases, women with tattoos are stigmatised as promiscuous or disreputable. This stigma has led some people, particularly women, to seek tattoo removal in order to improve their social standing and strengthen family bonds. Sri Indrayati, 52, regretted the tattoo she got after the birth of her first daughter. Over time, she became self-conscious of it, especially when her grandchildren would comment on it. 'When I take my grandson to school, the children whisper: 'Look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!'' she said. Similarly, Evalia Zadora, 36, got a tattoo as a teenager to gain acceptance into a gang. She now seeks to remove it out of respect for her husband and son, who are uncomfortable with it. 'It affected my husband and son,' Zadora said. 'I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.' The tattoo removal initiative, which is held annually during Ramadan, is part of broader efforts by the Amil Zakat National Agency to help Muslims reflect on their actions, engage in religious practices, and perform good deeds during the holy month. As the program continues to grow, it is helping more people remove symbols of their past and move forward with a renewed commitment to faith and self-improvement.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Muslims with tattoo regrets flock to a free removal service during Ramadan
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Teguh Islean Septura groans in pain as each staccato rat-a-tat-tat of the laser fires an intense beam at the elaborate tattoos on his arm. But the former musician's determination to 'repent' in the holy month of Ramadan is enough to keep him going. The 30-year-old guitarist got his back, arms and legs tattooed to 'look cool' when he was performing in a band. But these days Septura has a newfound zeal for Islam, including the conviction that Muslims should not alter the body that God gave them. 'As humans, sometimes we make mistakes. Now I want to improve myself by moving closer to God,' Seputra said, as a health worker aimed the white laser wand at Septura's skin, blasting the red, green and black pigments with its penetrating light. 'God gave me clean skin and I ruined it, that's what I regret now." Septura is among a growing number of people in Indonesia's capital who have signed up for free tattoo removal services offered by Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organization, during Ramadan to give practicing Muslims an opportunity to 'repent." Launched in 2019, the tattoo removal program is now held every Ramadan, a month of fasting, increased worship, religious reflection and good deeds. Some 700 people have signed up for the services this year, and in total nearly 3,000 people have taken part. 'We want to pave the way for people who want to hijrah (to move closer to God), including those who want to remove their tattoos' said Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, a coordinator of the event. He added that many people cannot afford to remove their tattoos or know where and how they can do so safely. Laser removal, which takes repeated treatment and may not be completely successful, could cost thousands of dollars for tattoos as extensive as Septura's. Tattooing remains strongly associated with gangs and criminality in some Asian cultures. In addition to the religious prohibitions in Muslim-majority Indonesia, ideas about tattoos also reveal oppressive attitudes toward women, who if tattooed can be labeled as promiscuous or disreputable and not worth marrying. Sri Indrayati, 52, said she tattooed the name of her first daughter on her hand shortly after she gave birth to her at the age of 22. She said she regretted it when her two grandchildren kept asking her to erase it because it looked like dirty, thick marker writing. 'When I take my grandson to school, (the children) whisper to each other: 'look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!' she said. Another woman, Evalia Zadora, got a tattoo of a large star on her back and the words "Hope, Love and Rock & Roll' on her upper chest as a teen to gain acceptance into a gang. She wants to remove them now to move closer to God and out of consideration for her family. 'Bad image (against people with tattoos) is not a big deal for me, but it affected my husband and son,' said Zadora, 36. 'They are not comfortable with my tattoos and I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.
Arab News
20-03-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Muslims with tattoo regrets flock to a free removal service during Ramadan
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Teguh Islean Septura groans in pain as each staccato rat-a-tat-tat of the laser fires an intense beam at the elaborate tattoos on his arm. But the former musician's determination to 'repent' in the holy month of Ramadan is enough to keep him going. The 30-year-old guitarist got his back, arms and legs tattooed to 'look cool' when he was performing in a band. But these days Septura has a newfound zeal for Islam, including the conviction that Muslims should not alter the body that God gave them. 'As humans, sometimes we make mistakes. Now I want to improve myself by moving closer to God,' Seputra said, as a health worker aimed the white laser wand at Septura's skin, blasting the red, green and black pigments with its penetrating light. 'God gave me clean skin and I ruined it, that's what I regret now.' Septura is among a growing number of people in Indonesia's capital who have signed up for free tattoo removal services offered by Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organization, during Ramadan to give practicing Muslims an opportunity to 'repent.' Launched in 2019, the tattoo removal program is now held every Ramadan, a month of fasting, increased worship, religious reflection and good deeds. Some 700 people have signed up for the services this year, and in total nearly 3,000 people have taken part. 'We want to pave the way for people who want to hijrah (to move closer to God), including those who want to remove their tattoos' said Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, a coordinator of the event. He added that many people cannot afford to remove their tattoos or know where and how they can do so safely. Laser removal, which takes repeated treatment and may not be completely successful, could cost thousands of dollars for tattoos as extensive as Septura's. Tattooing remains strongly associated with gangs and criminality in some Asian cultures. In addition to the religious prohibitions in Muslim-majority Indonesia, ideas about tattoos also reveal oppressive attitudes toward women, who if tattooed can be labeled as promiscuous or disreputable and not worth marrying. Sri Indrayati, 52, said she tattooed the name of her first daughter on her hand shortly after she gave birth to her at the age of 22. She said she regretted it when her two grandchildren kept asking her to erase it because it looked like dirty, thick marker writing. 'When I take my grandson to school, (the children) whisper to each other: 'look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!' she said. Another woman, Evalia Zadora, got a tattoo of a large star on her back and the words 'Hope, Love and Rock & Roll' on her upper chest as a teen to gain acceptance into a gang. She wants to remove them now to move closer to God and out of consideration for her family. 'Bad image (against people with tattoos) is not a big deal for me, but it affected my husband and son,' said Zadora, 36. 'They are not comfortable with my tattoos and I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.
