Istiqlal Mosque Waits For The Results Of The Ministry Of Religion's Isbat Session To Perform Eid Prayers

The atmosphere of the Jakarta Istiqlal Mosque. (ANTARA/Sean Filo Muhamad)

JAKARTA - The Head of the General Section and Human Resources of the Istiqlal Mosque, Ismail Cawidu, said the Istiqlal Mosque was still waiting for the decision of the isbat session from the Ministry of Religion regarding the implementation of Eid al-Fitr prayers ( id prayers) 1444 H. "We have prepared carefully for the Eid prayer celebration event, but we are still waiting for the results of the isbat trial decision which will be held tomorrow regarding the certainty of the day," said Ismail when met in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, April 19. He said that Istiqlal had prepared all personnel for the smooth event to celebrate Eid prayers, starting from the health sector, security posts, to worship services. Ismail said Istiqlal had prepared protocols for the pick-up of heads of state, ambassadors, and ministers who would hold Eid prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque. However, there has been no official confirmation of who the state officials will attend, which is certain according to Ismail's statement, the Istiqlal Mosque has made a protocol standard with the level of the head of state for the implementation of Eid prayers. "In terms of security, at the Istiqlal Mosque, there are 70 personnel who are ready to work alternately every day, if for holidays, we will operate entirely, plus assistance from the Central Jakarta Sawah Besar Sector Police, as well as security forces around the Istiqlal Mosque," said Ismail. The day before the Eid prayer, the Istiqlal Mosque will hold a Takbir Gema with the Ministry of Religion (Kemanag) and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf). The theme carried for the Takbir Gema at the Istiqlal Mosque this year is to build friendship and humanity. "Humanism is not only for Muslims, but also for the entire Indonesian nation, including for other communities. We at Istiqlal also have 42 programs aimed at religious moderation, meaning maintaining good relations with all people," said Ismail.

He said that one of the implementations of religious moderation was by building a silaturahim tunnel that connects the Istiqlal Mosque with the front yard of the Cathedral Church.