After The Renovation, The Istiqlal Mosque Is Not Yet Open To The Public

JAKARTA - Istiqlal Mosque has just been renovated. But the Istiqlal Mosque cannot yet be opened to the public.

"Based on the policy of the Governor of DKI regarding the extension of the transitional PSBB, the Istiqlal Mosque Management Agency has decided that Istiqlal is not yet open to the general public," said the Head of Istiqlal Mosque Public Relations and Protocol Cooperation, Nur Hayyin in his statement, Friday, January 8.

Nur Hayyin said, Istiqlal Mosque has not been open to the public because it is difficult to implement health protocols. This is because currently it is still in the process of completing security, parking, worship, and other facilities.

Later, the Istiqlal Mosque management will soon announce the opening of activities and services for the public when the COVID-19 pandemic is under control.

"Currently, the implementation of the Friday Prayers and the Temporary Rawatib Prayers are only for Istiqlal Mosque employees," he said.

Yesterday, President Joko Widodo inaugurated the renovation of the Istiqlal Mosque. This innovation is the first renovation since 42 years ago and cost Rp. 511 billion from the state budget.

Jokowi hopes that the completion of this renovation of the Istiqlal Mosque can be the pride of all Indonesian people.

Alhamdulillah, the renovation of the Istiqlal Mosque has been completed. The facades, floors, walls, to the ablution room have changed. The lighting is more beautiful, the landscape is tidier, and so on. Everything is increasingly giving a sense of comfort to worship, even for those who just come to visit. pic.twitter.com/Wb5JOTwY2m

- Joko Widodo (@jokowi) January 8, 2021

Being in a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, the President added, the Istiqlal Mosque should be an example of the mosques of other countries in the world in developing soothing Islamic symbols and building tolerance and peace.

"The renovation of the Istiqlal mosque to make it more magnificent is not just for show. It is not only the pride of Muslims but also the pride of all Indonesian people, the pride of our nation Indonesia," said Jokowi.

Jokowi continued, the Istiqlal Mosque which was founded 42 years ago as an expression of gratitude for God's grace because the Indonesian nation gained independence.

"This spirit was clearly recorded in 1953 when Muslim leaders gathered and sparked the idea of establishing a mosque as a symbol of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia and it was agreed that the name Istiqlal is a mosque which in Arabic means independence," said the President.