Rizieq Shihab: I Apologize To The Community For The Crowd Out Of Control

DOCK. ANTARA / Rizieq Shihab

JAKARTA - The Grand Imam of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) Rizieq Shihab spoke about the crowds caused by his supporters in a number of places ranging from Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Tangerang to the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta.

To the public, Rizieq apologized for his supporters creating a crowd because they were enthusiastic about meeting him and creating unrest amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I apologize to the whole community if in the crowd at the airport, in Petamburan, in Tebet, in Megamendung there is a buildup which is out of control because of enthusiasm," said Rizeq at the National Dialogue of 100 Ulama and Figures which was broadcast online on Front TV, Wednesday, December 2.

Realizing that each activity inevitably leads to the appearance of a crowd of supporters, Rizieq then decided not to make visits to various places.

"I was with my friends in the DPP FPI. Since the incident we stopped there were no more crowds," he said.

"All plans, schedules for out of town, to our areas are stopped until the pandemic ends," he said.

Rizieq said, FPI has been trying to ensure that all its activities maintain health protocols to prevent COVID-19. However, the enthusiasm of its supporters cannot be contained.

"Laskar was unable to prevent it. Even though thousands of laskar had been prepared but they tried to shake hands and hug," he said.

As previously reported, when Rizieq arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, November 10, a crowd of supporters filled Soekarno-Hatta Airport, which led to crowds and resulted in the cancellation of a number of flights due to traffic jams on the toll road since dawn.

Rizieq then attended the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in the Tebet area, South Jakarta on Friday, November 13, 2020, then went to Megamendung, Bogor.

Furthermore, he held a birthday commemoration of the Prophet as well as the marriage contract of his daughter, Najwa Shihab in the Petamburan area, Central Jakarta. The event triggered supporters from various regions and caused crowds.