Protested Not Allowed To Join Congregation During Eid Or Friday Prayers At The Mosque, Vice President Ma'ruf: According To Kiai's Provisions

JAKARTA - The provisions for closing mosques and prohibiting congregational prayers in mosques during the implementation of emergency community activity restrictions (PPKM) are in accordance with the demands of scholars and kiai.

This was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in a statement on the YouTube account of the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Tuesday, July 13.

"This is in accordance with the demands of the kiai, who are not allowed to join in congregation, both (patient) and Friday (prayer), including Eid (prayer)," said Vice President Ma'ruf as quoted by Antara.

The regulations for worship activities for Muslims, said Ma'ruf Amin, do not only apply inside the mosque, but also outside the mosque until conditions allow again.

The vice president also said the regulations regarding the implementation of Muslim worship activities had been harmonized with the needs of the community.

"I have tried because there have been many protests from the community so that it is not closed. In the latest regulation, it has been stated that there are no more words to close mosques. However, what is there is that crowds are prohibited," he said.

The regulation is regulated in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs (Inmendagri) Number 19 of 2021 concerning the Third Amendment of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 15 of 2021 concerning the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) COVID-19 in the Java and Bali Regions.

In the Third Dictum Letter g of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 15 of 2021, it is changed to a place of worship, not holding worship or religious activities in congregation during the implementation of the emergency PPKM and optimizing the implementation of worship at home.

The places of worship in question are mosques, prayer rooms, churches, temples, monasteries, pagodas, and other places that function as places of worship.

In addition, Letter k in the previous Inmendagri was also changed to the implementation of a wedding reception which was abolished during the implementation of the emergency PPKM.

"Wedding receptions are also not allowed at all. The congregation is not allowed to pray, but the reception is allowed? Therefore, the wedding reception is also not allowed. This is also in accordance with the demands of the kiai," said the vice president.