Visiting MUI Chair Miftachul Akhyar In Surabaya, Coordinating Minister For Airlangga Praying Together For The End Of The COVID-19 Pandemic

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto during a visit to the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council KH Miftachul Akhyar. Photo (Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto visited the residence of the General Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council KH Miftachul Akhyar in Surabaya. The visit also hopes for prayers so that COVID-19 in the country will end soon.

"We came to his Islamic boarding school to hope for prayers so that the pandemic will end soon and the COVID-19 disease, which is currently entering its third wave, will be immediately lifted by Allah SWT," Airlangga said in his statement, Saturday, February 19.

The meeting with Coordinating Minister Airlangga, who is also the General Chair of the Golkar Party DPP, was held at the Miftachus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School complex, Jalan Kedung Tarukan Surabaya, East Java.

Also accompanying two ministers from Golkar, such as Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Youth and Sports Zainudin Amali and a number of DPD I administrators of the East Java Golkar Party.

Airlangga Hartarto hopes that the COVID-19 disease, especially the omicron variant, which spreads so fast, can disappear soon and economic and social activities will grow again.

"The pandemic is very disturbing to all sectors, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We had a conversation with kiai and prayed together so that the pandemic would end soon," he said.

In addition, on the same occasion Airlangga also stated the government's support for the management of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board which was elected at the congress in Lampung, late last year.

"Today we are not talking about politics at all, but purely asking for input and discussing social issues," said Airlangga, explaining.

Meanwhile, MUI General Chair KH Miftachul Akhyar said he was flattered to receive a visit from Coordinating Minister Airlangga and several other ministers.

The PBNU Rais Aam also thanked the government for giving permission to hold the NU Congress in Lampung on 22-24 December 2021, so that it can run safely, smoothly and in an orderly manner.

"Although it is still a pandemic, the orderly implementation and compliance with health protocols made the conference end smoothly. Once again, we thank you," he said.

Regarding the pandemic, the caretaker of the Miftachus Sunnah Islamic Boarding School also hopes that Allah SWT will soon be appointed, so that the Indonesian people can return to normal lives and the economy can grow well.

"We, from the PBNU, PWNU, PCNU, MWC, to the branches, continue to ask Allah SWT to end the pandemic. Residents can also carry out social activities as before," he said.

Before visiting the residence of KH Miftachul Akhyar, Airlangga Hartarto took the time to visit the culinary center of Mrs. Rudy on Jalan Dharmahusada Surabaya.