MUI Confused That Religious Holidays Are Still Being Moved, Ministry Of Religion: Don't Make Counterproductive Statements

JAKARTA - The chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) for da'wah, Cholil Nafis criticized the government's policy of shifting religious holidays to limit the mobility of citizens to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. With the case already sloping, Cholil asked that the policy was no longer relevant.

The government has indeed decided to shift the Maulid Nabi holiday to 1443 H and abolish the 2021 Christmas joint leave. The Special Staff of the Minister of Religion, Wibowo Prasetyo explained that this policy was very relevant as a step to anticipate the emergence of new cases of COVID-19.

Wibowo admitted that the pandemic in Indonesia was indeed experiencing a downward trend. However, this should not relax vigilance, especially in the discipline of implementing health protocols.

"Even though the pandemic is decreasing, we must remain vigilant. Discipline of health protocols must still be carried out," said Wibowo, Tuesday, October 12 yesterday. He made this statement in response to a tweet from the Head of the MUI for Da'wah and Ukhuwah, Cholil Nafis.

He said, Indonesia had indeed succeeded in suppressing the rate of the pandemic. This is inseparable from the government's serious efforts and support for the discipline of religious communities in Indonesia in implementing health protocols. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over and all parties must continue to be vigilant.

"MUI as one of the Islamic organizations should participate in assisting the government's efforts in handling the pandemic and not even issue statements that have the potential to relax the discipline of the people so that it is counterproductive to our joint efforts in fighting Covid-19," he explained, quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Religion.

"In the midst of this pandemic, let us worship and celebrate religious holidays solemnly while being responsible for protecting the health of our beloved family, relatives, friends, society, and this nation," he said.

The government changed the date of the national holiday to commemorate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. This red date previously fell on October 19 and was shifted to October 20.

The amendments are contained in the Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religion, the Minister of Manpower, and the Minister of Empowerment of State Apparatus and Reform, Bureaucracy Numbers 712, 1, and 3 of 2021 concerning the Second Amendment to the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion, Manpower, Menpan and RB Number 642, 4, and 4 of 2020 concerning National Holidays and Joint Leave.

Director-General of Islamic Community Guidance Kamaruddin Amin explained that the government's reason for shifting the holiday was the COVID-19 pandemic. This is an effort to prevent and handle the spread and anticipate the emergence of new clusters of COVID-19.