Residents In Palangkaraya Can Pray In Congregation Without Masks, As Long As They Are Healthy

PALANGKARAYA - The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Palangkaraya City, Central Kalimantan, has allowed residents to perform congregational prayers in mosques and prayer rooms without masks for pilgrims who are in good health, in line with the easing by the government.

Secretary of the MUI Fatwa Commission of Palangka Raya City, Mustain Khaitami, said that the spread of COVID-19 in the local area was currently sloping and there were violations of the prokes imposed by the government.

"Currently, our area has entered the endemic stage, so it allows worshipers who want to pray in mosques and prayer rooms not to wear masks," said Mustin at the Palangkaraya City MUI Office, reported by Antara, Thursday, May 19.

He said that the easing of health protocols made people active in worshiping in mosques and prayer rooms because, during the pandemic, places of worship were limited to the number of people performing worship.

Even though there is an easing of health protocols from the government, it would be better if the congregants whose condition is not or are not healthy such as fever, have comorbid illnesses, it would be better not to carry out worship in places of worship.

"Meanwhile, if the flu, colds can carry out worship in congregation in places of worship but must wear a mask," he said.

Mustain Khaitami, who also serves as Chairman of the Central Kalimantan National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) for the 2020-2025 period, also advised pilgrims who are in an unhealthy condition not to force themselves to pray in congregation.

I'm afraid that when they push themselves, they spread the virus they have. Therefore, all this time he has been educating the public, it is better to prevent than cure.

"The most important thing so far that the government and the community have been doing is prevention, because once an outbreak has been hit, it's a bit complicated to treat," he said.

From what has been observed so far, before there was an easing policy from the government regarding not using masks in open areas, some local people already did not use masks.

This is good when they are outside the room or when carrying out worship in places of worship, some still wear masks to prevent the transmission of the epidemic.