Circular From The Ministry Of Religion: Congregational Eid Prayer Outside The Emergency PPKM Only In The Green-Yellow Zone

Illustration - Muslims perform Eid prayers by keeping their distance at the Al-Ikhlas Mosque in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Thursday, May 13 (Basri Marzuki/Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Religion has issued Circular Number 16 of 2021 concerning Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of the Takbiran Night, Eid Prayers, and the Implementation of Sacrifice in 1442 H/2021 AD Outside the Areas for the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM).

The Circular, among others, regulates the implementation of the Eid prayer in congregation only in the green and yellow zones of COVID-19 transmission.

"Iduladha Prayers 1442 H/2021 M can only be held outside the district/city with assessment levels 3 and 4 implemented by the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) and including the Green Zone and Yellow Zone areas determined by the Local Government and local Covid-19 Handling Task Force", said Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in his statement, in Jakarta, Friday, July 2.

Although it allows the implementation of congregational Eid prayers outside the red and orange zones, several rules must be obeyed.

That is, the capacity of the field/mosque/mushala is only 30 percent. Then, the organizers of the Eid prayer must coordinate and with the permission of the local government, the local COVID-19 Task Force, and security forces.

Organizers or DKM are required to provide body temperature measuring devices, provide hand sanitizers and handwashing facilities, provide masks.

Then provide officers to announce, implement, and supervise the implementation of health protocols. Pilgrims with unhealthy conditions are prohibited from participating in the Eid Prayer.

Then, set the distance between congregations of at least one meter by giving a special sign, not carrying out/distributing charity/Infaq boxes to the congregation.

Ensure that there are no crowds before and after the Eid prayer, and carry out disinfection at the venue before and after the prayer.

Not only regulating the implementation, but this circular also contains conditions for pilgrims who are allowed to attend Eid prayers, among others, aged 18 to 59 years, in good health, not currently undergoing self-isolation, not recently returned from a trip out of town, and are from residents, and bring their respective prayer equipment.

Likewise, regarding Takbiran, it is not allowed to hold a mobile Takbir, it is only carried out in mosques with a capacity of 10 percent of capacity and applies in the green and yellow zones, while the red and orange zones are encouraged to be held at their respective homes.

Furthermore, regarding the sacrifice, it is obligatory to fulfill the provisions, among others, the slaughter of the sacrificial animal can take place within three days, namely on the 11th, 12th, and 13th of Zulhijah to avoid crowds at the location of the sacrifice.

Slaughter of sacrificial animals should be done in a slaughterhouse (RPH). If the number of RPH is limited, it can be done in an open field and only the person who is offering the sacrifice may witness the slaughter.

The distribution of the meat of the sacrificial animal is carried out by officers to the residences of the residents who are entitled to it. Officers who distribute sacrificial meat are required to wear double masks and gloves to minimize physical contact with recipients.