Makassar Mayor Danny Pomanto Confirms To Close Karebosi Field, Eid Prayers Will Be At Mosque

MAKASSAR - Mayor of Makassar Moh Ramdhan Pomanto together with the ranks of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda) held a coordination meeting to discuss preparations for the implementation of the Eid al-Fitr prayer 1422 Hijiriah amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our Karebosi field will not open, because there will be 1.2 million Muslims who want to concentrate on carrying out Eid prayers there. So there should not be a large concentration of crowds," said Ramdhan at Makassar City Hall, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, May 6.

To anticipate the spread of COVID-19, due to crowds, Danny Pomanto said the concept of Eid prayer was prepared by the government.

To anticipate crowd concentration during Eid al-Fitr prayers, Makassar City Government has an alternative to disentangle the crowd.

"We have the concept of disentangling the crowd with several alternatives during the Eid al-Fitr prayer. So we agree together with Forkopimda and the scholars on the description based on prayer locations designated by RWs and RTs in the surrounding mosques. Then use large highways," he said.

He said the first alternative was choosing open spaces by each RW and RT, such as in fields or roads with large roads. Second, open spaces and open local mosques.

"This is usually in RW-RT with a very large population. And we concentrate on the mosque, then with the 'backup' of the open space around the mosque, be it the streets or the mosque grounds," he said.

Regarding the alternative, he said, it was left to each RW.

"So we submit this alternative to each RW to choose according to the conditions of their respective regions," added Danny.

Meanwhile, Head of Makassar City Police, Grand Commissioner Witnu Urip Laksana emphasized that to support the implementation of the Eid Prayers in mosques and major roads, his party is ready to secure the implementation of the Eid prayers.

"We ask the sub-district heads to coordinate with the police chief so that the implementation of the Eid prayers can run smoothly. We are ready to cooperate with the head of sub-district for securing prayers for the implementation of the Eid prayer," he said.

The coordination meeting was also attended by all elements of the Regional Apparatus Work Unit (SKPD) within the Makassar City Government, Sub-district Head, religious leaders, religious scholars.