Attention! Roving Takbir Banned In The Riau Archipelago

A number of children beat drums during the takbiran night in Tanah Abang, Jakarta, May 2020. (Antara)

TANJUNGPINANG - Governor of the Riau Islands Province (Kepri) Ansar Ahmad requested that takbirs echo only from places of worship. He forbade its citizens not to take takbir around Eid 2022.

Ansar said this was following up on the Circular Letter of the Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Number 08 of 2022 concerning Guidelines for the Implementation of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr 1443 Hijri Worship.

"One of the points in the circular letter is that the public is advised to recite the Eid al-Fitr takbir at mosques, prayer rooms or their homes," said Governor Ansar in Tanjungpinang, quoted from Antara, Saturday, April 23.

Ansar hopes that the public can comply with the circular for the common good.

He said the appeal not to carry out mobile takbirs was one of the government's efforts to suppress the spread of COVID-19, because mobile takbirs could trigger crowds of people.

"This is also to avoid things that are not desirable, because the takbir around is usually colored by a procession of vehicles, fearing a traffic accident," he said.

In addition, Ansar also appealed to officials and the public not to carry out open house activities on Eid 2022. "It is better to celebrate Eid with only the nuclear family," said Ansar.

Although currently the development of COVID-19 cases tends to be sloping, he said, people must still adhere to health protocols, starting from wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, and avoiding traveling if there is no urgent need.

He appealed to residents to carry out booster vaccinations to increase their immunity from the transmission of COVID-19. Moreover, the government has set a booster vaccine as a condition for the 2022 Eid homecoming trip.

"Please celebrate Eid, but don't be too euphoric, still obey the health protocols to avoid exposure to COVID-19," he stressed.