Congregation Wearing Masks Evicted From Mosques, House of Representatives: Those Who Do Not Believe That COVID-19 Is Real

ILLUSTRATION/DPR BUILDING (VOI)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives Rahmad Handoyo regretted the event that a congregation was expelled for wearing a mask in the Al Amanah Harapan Indah Mosque, Bekasi. This incident went viral on social media.

Rahmad said that the data from the COVID-19 Task Force regarding people who did not believe in the deadly virus was not a mere fabrication.

"Data from the Ministry of Health, which states that 17 percent of the public still thinks that COVID-19 does not exist, is real", said Rahmad, Monday, May 3.

According to the PDIP politician, the incident at the Al Amanah Mosque reminded the public to work together to increase awareness of health programs in each other's environment. Because there are still people who do not understand the implementation of health protocol that can prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

Rahmad hopes that in the future the community will no longer ignore the COVID-19 health protocol, including in worship places.

"I believe, with awareness and good language, I think people who are not yet aware will use their own awareness, the program will definitely be carried out together", said the Central Java legislator.

Previously, the Medan Satria Police admitted that they had strongly rebuked the management of the Al Amanah Harapan Indah Mosque, Medan Satria District, Bekasi City, West Java for the incident of expelling worshipers for wearing masks.

"Regarding the viral video incident, we have reminded us and gave a strong warning", said Head of Medan Police Sector Satria Kompol Agus Rohmat in Bekasi, quoted by Antara, Monday, May 3.

He said the incident which had been videotaped and went viral recently occurred on Tuesday, April 27 at 14.30 WIB inside the mosque.

Agus stated that the mosque manager named Ustad Abdurohman had often been reprimanded and even his party often provided masks and disinfectants.

"At that time there was a change, yesterday there was this incident I was also surprised, and at that time I immediately reprimanded and I mediated between the two parties", he said.