Minister Of Religion Asks PTKN To Build Solidarity And Education On COVID-19

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas asked the community for State Religious Universities (PTKN) to be proactive in building solidarity and education regarding the handling and prevention of COVID-19 to the community.

"Solidarity continues to be built, empathy continues to be instilled in dealing with this pandemic," Yaqut said as quoted by Antara, Friday, August 6.

The Minister of Religion said that universities have a vital role in society. The presence of the academic community will be easily heard by the public when providing education about COVID-19.

Because, he said, the handling of COVID-19 in the country cannot be done by the government alone, but must involve all levels of society so that the pandemic can be handled immediately.

"Leaders of universities have an influence in society. Let's together handle and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic," he said.

The Minister of Religion also asked his staff to provide explanations to the public regarding the policy of shifting the Islamic New Year holiday, the Prophet's Birthday holiday, and removing the joint Christmas leave.

This policy is contained in the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion, the Minister of Manpower, and the Menpan RB No. 712, 1, and 3 of 2021 concerning the Second Amendment to the Joint Decree of the Minister of Religion, the Minister of Manpower, the Menpan and RB No. 642, 4, and 4 of 2020 concerning National Holidays and Leave Together.

This policy was taken by the government solely to reduce the rate of transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, the academic community is asked to educate the shift in this holiday.

"PTKN should participate in explaining to the people. The shift to national holidays can be conveyed properly to the public and students. What has been shifted is the day off, not the religious celebration," he said.