Preventing COVID-19 From Spreading, Minister Of Religion Yaqut Cholil Asks Chinese To Celebrate Chinese New Year Online

Illustration of citrus fruit and luck (Unsplash / Chuttersnap)

JAKARTA - The government has asked that the Chinese New Year celebration which falls on Friday, February 12 be held simply. Whenever possible, do online gathering activities.

Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said this appeal was following the high number of COVID-19 transmissions in the country.

"Because the situation is different, Indonesia and the world are experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic, I think those who celebrate should also be aware that Chinese New Year celebrations can be celebrated in a simple way", said Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in an online press conference on the  Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel, Thursday, February 4.

The government, he continued, understands that the Chinese New Year celebration is not just a change of year but an expression of gratitude. In previous years, various performances such as barongsai, angpao and hospitality were held by the community.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Religion Yaqut requested that such activities be detained first. Appeals for hospitality online have been communicated with Chinese community groups and Confucian religious leaders.

"I think friendship can be replaced by ways that protect each other from the COVID-19 pandemic, for example in a virtual way".

"I have also communicated with Confucian religious figures and Chinese figures regarding the implementation of this year's Chinese New Year so that it is carried out simply through virtual and I think that will not diminish the meaning of this Chinese New Year celebration", he added.

Furthermore, Yaqut also requested that this Chinese New Year celebration be momentum for Confucianism and the Chinese community to reflect.

In addition, he also invited them to pray that humans would soon be free from the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Let's return Tian's teachings, we mean Tian's teachings that religion was revealed to glorify fellow humans, to protect fellow humans and other virtues", he concluded.