Leaders Of Islamic Boarding Schools In Cirebon: Just Postpone 212 Reunion, There Is Still A Lot Of Time

The leader of the Buntet Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon, West Java, KH Adib Rofiuddin Izza. (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The leader of Pondok Pesantren Buntet Cirebon, West Java, KH Adib Rofiuddin Izza, hopes that the 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA) reunion plan will be postponed because the activity has the potential to create crowds amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"If I appealed, I suggested that it should be postponed first. Now is not the time for us to reuphoria, together, gather, it will not solve the problem. It means that it will not solve the problem about COVID-19," said Kiai Adib Rofiuddin in his written statement, quoted from Between, Sunday 15 November.

Kiai Adib said that the 212 reunion which was planned to be held on December 2, 2020 was not timely to be held at this time, especially since DKI Jakarta is still implementing Transitional Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB).

"The government implements health protocols for the nation and state, for the people. We all have to work together to protect it. If I suggest it, postpone it first. There is still a lot of time, why now," he said.

Furthermore, the PBNU Board of Trustees (Mustasyar) appealed to Muslims to obey government regulations to stay away from crowds and implement health protocols so that Indonesia is expected to be free from COVID-19.

"This should be the community, the Indonesian nation in particular, aware that all of us are being tested by Allah SWT. And what the government has done is extraordinary in carrying out, protecting its people so that their people are not affected by COVID-19. But unfortunately there are still many people who not yet conscious, "he said.

Therefore, he strongly advised the public to obey the government's appeal because the government has tried its best to handle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It is impossible for the government to solve it. Because it is our common good, not one-sided kindness," he continued.

For Kiai Adib, friendship is good, but it doesn't have to be by gathering, considering that the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended.

"That the reunion, the friendship, is good, but if it will only cause harm rather than benefit, it is better to postpone it. If the effect is to add a new COVID-19 cluster, this will be not good," he concluded.

Previously, PA 212 planned to hold a reunion on December 2, 2020 at Monas, Central Jakarta. PA 212 Chairman Slamet Ma'arif said that his party is currently waiting for an answer to the permit to use Monas from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.