MUI Reminds Anyone Who Gathering With Rizieq Shihab Must Obey Health Protocols

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) asks whoever visits the Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front, Rizieq Shihab, to respect and implement health protocols in order to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

"Because this country is still hit by COVID-19, I sincerely hope that all parties heed the advice and suggestions from experts to respect existing health protocols so that calamities and disasters do not come to befall," MUI Secretary General Anwar Abbas told reporters quoted from the statement. he wrote, Thursday, November 12.

He understands, many parties want to stay in touch with Rizieq because he has not been in the country for 3 years. However, it is necessary to implement health protocols when meeting Rizieq to prevent transmission of COVID-19.

Anwar asked, whoever the guest who came to Petamburan, Rizieq's residence, had to keep his distance and wear a mask. "Even if possible, the faceshield is still used. So that this joy does not end in sorrow," he said.

He reminded that Islamic teachings had always reminded people not to do things that would harm them. So, anything that is dangerous, including not following the must to maintain health protocols, should not be done.

"The principle of being careful and vigilant by respecting and fully adhering to the existing medical protocol must be put first and foremost for the benefit of all of us," he said.

Previously, after Rizieq Shihab arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, November 10, a number of figures came to his residence in the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta. Those who attended included DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, MUI Wasekjen Tengku Zulkarnain, Amien Rais, and a number of elite Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) including its secretary general, Aboe Bakar Al Habsyi.

Rizieq's arrival in Indonesia has also previously received the spotlight. Because when he arrived, the crowd of supporters rushed to pick him up at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang and caused a large crowd. Not only at the airport, crowds also occurred in the Petamburan area because of the enthusiasm of the supporters who wanted to welcome Rizieq.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria said there was a potential for a new COVID-19 cluster from the pick-up and welcoming agenda for the leader of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Muhammad Rizieq Shihab.

However, the spike in COVID-19 cases due to Rizieq's pick-up cluster has not yet been seen because it will only be monitored next week or two weeks after that.

"We will only see it in a week or two. If yesterday there was a condition where there was a density, we are grateful because I see that everyone uses masks," said Riza at the City Hall of DKI, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, November 11.

However, Riza hopes that no spike in cases will occur. "Hopefully, yesterday our relatives and friends who yesterday visited Habib Rizieq in a crowd did not create a new cluster," he said.

Apart from that, Riza also recommended that the masses of Rizieq supporters stick to the health protocol. To the host, he also asked them to try to set up a mechanism so that the COVID-19 prevention protocol could still be implemented.

"Indeed, they all have a longing for Habib Rizieq. But, we ask for help to arrange the mechanism to keep the schedule, distance, health protocol used by using masks and washing hands," explained Riza.