Minister Of Religion Yaqut Forbids ASN To Break Fast Together During Ramadan

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas/DOK Private Instagram

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas forbade State Civil Apparatus (ASN) from holding joint iftar activities during the holy month of Ramadan 1443 Hijriah.

This rule is contained in Circular (SE) Number 8 of 2022 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Worship in the Months of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri.

In the regulation, Yaqut specifically prohibits breaking the fast together only for ASN Ministry of Religion.

"Officials and State Civil Apparatus of the Ministry of Religion are prohibited from holding or attending joint iftar, sahur, and/or Eid open houses," Yaqut said in a written statement, Friday, April 1.

Yaqut recommended that worship activities during the fasting month be carried out in mosques while still implementing health protocols.

"Muslims are encouraged to fill in and improve practices during Ramadan, such as Tarawih prayers, iktikaf, tadarus Al-Quran, recitation, zakat, infaq, alms, and waqf, but by still paying attention to health protocols," he explained.

However, Yaqut asked the public to pay attention to the conditions of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in their respective areas in order to anticipate the transmission of the virus.

In point 4 in the SE, Yaqut appealed to the administrators and managers of mosques or musalas to pay attention to the Minister of Religion's SE regarding the implementation of worship and religious activities in places of worship during the Implementation of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM) according to their respective regional level statuses and implementing health protocols.

"Managers and managers of mosques or musalas are required to appoint officers who ensure socialization and implementation of health protocols to all congregations," said Yaqut.