DIY Ministry Of Religion Invites Office Building To Be A Temporary House Of Worship

Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kanwil Kemenag) Special Region of Yogyakarta (PHOTO ANTARA/Luqman Hakim)

YOGYAKARTA - Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) Masmin Afif invited his office building to function as a temporary house of worship for religious adherents who were constrained by places of worship. "When later there are religious people who do not have a place (a place) they can convey it to the DIY Ministry of Religion and will be assisted with facilitation," said Masmin Afif when contacted in Yogyakarta, Antara, Tuesday, November 28. According to Masmin, the provision follows up on Circular Letter Number 11 of 2023 which was issued on October 16, 2023 regarding the use of the Ministry of Religion's office as a temporary house of worship. Masmin admitted that he had prepared a number of rooms in his office that made it possible to use them as places of worship, from the hall to the meeting room. "We set aside (rooms). There are several places, meeting halls, there are meeting places if they are asked to facilitate religious communities. Meanwhile, it can be used," he said. Masmin said facilitation of houses of worship at the DIY Ministry of Religion Office is intended for all religious communities as long as they do not have a place to worship. However, he emphasized that the prepared facilities were emergency or temporary. "This is an emergency and to provide temporary facilities," said Masmin. Previously, Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas had issued a circular regarding the use of the Ministry of Religion's office as a temporary house of worship as stated in Circular No. 11 which was published on October 16, 2023. The provisions of the SE Minister of Religion No. 11 of 2023 include the use of the Ministry of Religion Office as a temporary house of worship for a maximum of two hours for every worship activity. Then, various prayer facilities needed during the implementation of worship are provided independently by the applicant.

The use of the Ministry of Religion's Office as a temporary house of worship is valid for three months, and can be extended for one month.