Dozens of Muslims gathered at Jakarta City Hall on Tuesday to get free tattoo removals as an 'act of repentance' during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Footage shows locals registering for the service and getting their skin prepared for the procedure, before having the ink lasered off.

"I am doing this removal because I’m afraid before the eyes of God," explained Martin as he underwent the procedure.

Another local getting her tattoo removed, Amelia, said: "I feel hurt by this removal, but I don’t want to feel it. I just want to think of something else to ease the pain."

Although Islamic teachings and interpretations vary among scholars and Muslim communities, permanent tattoos are generally prohibited in Islam and are seen by some as disrespectful to God's creation due to the belief that the body is sacred and should not be altered unnecessarily.

The initiative was organised by the Islamic charity organisation Amil Zakat National Agency (BAZNAS), with various locations set up across the country. Approximately 600 people registered to remove their tattoos in the capital, according to local media.

"We held this held tattoo removal event to help those who want to remove their tattoos because they fear God and want to wash away their sins during Ramadan, this has been provided for free to them," said one of the organisers.

The month of Ramadan, a period of reverence and devotion in the Islamic faith, is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

This annual observance includes prayers during the late evening and voluntary abstinence from both food and drink throughout the daylight hours.