Wait For The Instructions Of The High Priest, The Istiqlal Mosque Has Not Held Friday Prayers This Week

Chief Imam of Istiqlal Nasaruddin Umar gives a lecture on Tarawih Prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Istiqlal Mosque in Sawah Besar, Central Jakarta has yet to hold congregational Friday prayers. From Friday's observation, August 13, noon, this mosque still looks deserted.

"No, there are no Friday prayers today. The regular congregational prayers have not been opened yet," said Deputy Chairperson of the Istiqlal Mosque's Worship Organization, Abu Hurairah, Friday, August 13.

Abu Hurairah said there had been no decision from the Grand Imam to open a mosque for congregational worship activities.

Based on the latest rules in the Instruction of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 30 of 2021 concerning the Enforcement of Restrictions on Community Activities (PPKM), places of worship have been allowed to open in areas that set PPKM level 4.

However, the government limits the number of congregations to a maximum of 20 people or 25 percent of the capacity of places of worship.

However, Abu said there had been no decision from the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar to reopen the Istiqlal Mosque for worship activities.

"In principle, we are waiting for the High Priest's instructions," he said.