A foreign woman was taken to immigration authorities after disrupting a Quran recitation at a prayer room in Gili Trawangan, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
The incident occurred on the first night of Ramadan in Gili Trawangan Hamlet, Gili Indah Village, Pemenang District. The disturbance was recorded and later circulated on social media.
Head of Gili Trawangan Hamlet, Muhammad Husni, said the woman objected to the sound of the recitation broadcast through a loudspeaker.
“She took issue with the recitation, because she was disturbed by the loudspeaker,” Husni said, as reported by detikBali on Thursday (19 February).
He said the woman approached the prayer room while residents were reciting the Quran.
“She was recorded shouting in front of the prayer room while residents were reciting the Quran using a loudspeaker,” Husni said.
“Finally, she came to the prayer room, then immediately became angry and damaged the microphone and all sorts of things,” he added.
Residents confronted the woman, and an argument followed. According to Husni, one person was injured during the confrontation.
“One of the residents was even injured. He scratched someone in self-defence. One of the figures in the prayer room even fell,” Husni said.
After the incident, the woman returned to her villa, located about 50 metres from the prayer room.
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Police and immigration officers investigate visa status
Authorities later identified the foreign national as a New Zealand citizen with the initials ML. She was taken to the immigration office after officers discovered she had allegedly overstayed her visitor visa.
Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Lombok Police, I Komang Wilandra, confirmed the action.
“The person concerned has been taken to the immigration office for further investigation into his overstayed stay permit,” Wilandra said in a statement, as reported by Antara on Sunday (22 February).
Wilandra said police provided security assistance to immigration officers who visited the location to verify the woman’s immigration status. The operation involved officers from the Gili Indah Subsector Police and the Pemenang Police.
When officers arrived, the woman initially refused to meet them.
“When the police provided security assistance, ML initially refused to meet with the group,” Wilandra said.
However, he said officers used a non-confrontational approach to resolve the situation.
“Through friendly approaches, the foreign woman finally agreed to meet with the team, provided there was a limit on the number of people allowed,” he said.
Authorities then escorted her to the immigration office for further examination.
Authorities continue immigration process
Immigration officials are continuing to investigate the woman’s visa status and determine the next steps. The case is being handled by the Directorate General of Immigration.
Police have not announced any criminal charges related to the disturbance at the prayer room. Their involvement focused on maintaining public order and assisting immigration officers.
