As the holy month of Ramadan progresses, a growing number of Muslims in Indonesia are turning to a free tattoo removal service in a bid to “repent” and reconnect with their faith. Among them is Teguh Islean Septura, a former musician who now seeks to erase the tattoos that once adorned his body in pursuit of a “cool” image.
The 30-year-old guitarist grimaces in pain as the laser pulses against his skin, targeting the intricate tattoos on his arms, back, and legs. Yet his determination to improve himself during this spiritually significant time keeps him going. “God gave me clean skin, and I ruined it,” Septura reflects, expressing regret for his past choices. He now feels a strong conviction that Muslims should avoid altering their bodies, believing that tattoos conflict with the natural form bestowed by God.
Septura is part of a larger group in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, taking advantage of free tattoo removal services offered by the Amil Zakat National Agency, an Islamic charity organization. This initiative, launched in 2019, has become a yearly tradition during Ramadan, providing a chance for Muslims to purify themselves physically and spiritually during a month dedicated to fasting, prayer, and reflection. This year, the program has drawn over 700 participants, bringing the total number of people helped to nearly 3,000.
“We want to pave the way for people who want to ‘hijrah’ (move closer to God), including those who want to remove their tattoos,” says Mohammad Asep Wahyudi, the event coordinator. He acknowledges that many participants face financial barriers to tattoo removal and are unsure of how to access safe and effective procedures. While laser treatments can be costly and may require multiple sessions to be fully effective, they offer a vital opportunity for those seeking to change their appearance and align more closely with their faith.
In Indonesia, tattooing is often linked to gangs and criminality, and religious prohibitions against tattoos are strong in Muslim communities. Cultural perceptions also contribute to stigma, particularly for women. Women with tattoos are sometimes viewed as promiscuous or unfit for marriage, further intensifying the desire for some individuals to remove their inked marks.
For Sri Indrayati, a 52-year-old woman, the decision to tattoo her first daughter’s name on her hand when she was 22 now brings regret. Her grandchildren have often asked her to erase the tattoo, and she has noticed whispers among other schoolchildren when she takes her grandson to class. “When I take my grandson to school, the children whisper to each other: ‘Look at that grandma, she has a tattoo!’” Indrayati recalls.
Similarly, Evalia Zadora, 36, is seeking to remove tattoos that once symbolized her affiliation with a gang. As a teenager, she got a large star tattoo on her back and the words “Hope, Love, and Rock & Roll” on her chest to gain acceptance among her peers. However, as she has grown older and her faith deepened, she now feels compelled to remove them not only for her own spiritual journey but also out of respect for her family. “Bad image is not a big deal for me, but it affected my husband and son,” Zadora shares. “They are not comfortable with my tattoos, and I respect their feelings, so I want to remove it.”
For many, the tattoo removal program is not just about physical change but a deeper desire to heal and reconnect with their faith during a time of reflection and self-improvement. As Ramadan continues, the initiative provides a meaningful path for Muslims seeking spiritual renewal and the chance to leave behind the marks of their past.
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