First Tarawih Prayer Of Ramadan 2022: Istiqlal Mosque Crowded With Congregations

Congregants packed the main floor of the Istiqlal Mosque to attend the first Tarawih Prayer of Ramadan 1443 Hijri, Saturday (2/4/2022). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah)

JAKARTA - Congregants packed the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, on the first day of the Tarawih Prayer which took place on Saturday, after the government set the start of Ramadan 1443 Hijriah/2022 AD to fall on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Based on observations, the manager of the Istiqlal Mosque has rolled out a carpet on the main floor of the mosque. Previously, the manager did not install it.

"The main floor of the Istiqlal Mosque must be sterile, so it is sprayed (with disinfectant) periodically before and after (the worship takes place) to be clean from viruses," said Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar at Istiqlal.

Mosque administrators have also not implemented distance restrictions. Shaf is arranged for a meeting but the congregation still has to apply health protocols such as not taking off masks when worshiping.

On this first day, worshipers only thronged the main floor, while the second floor was only partially filled. Prokes when entering the Istiqlal Mosque area are also strictly enforced. Pilgrims are required to scan through the PeduliLindung application and check body temperature.

"We are trying to avoid crowds, so we pay attention to entrances, parking locations, sandal storage areas and so on, so that the crowds are reduced," said Nasaruddin.

In order to avoid things that are not desirable, Nasaruddin appealed to the public to pay more attention to their health before doing activities in the open, and to continue to apply health protocols when in the mosque area.

"We appeal to the public, do not come to crowded places, especially the Istiqlal Mosque (if you feel unfit), or feel you have not been vaccinated," he said.