Minister Of Religion: Vaccination Acceleration At Islamic Boarding Schools Targets 2 Million Doses

Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas/PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Yaqut Cholil Qoumas assessed that vaccination in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) is a strategic part in accelerating the vaccination target launched by the government, which is two million doses per day.

"I invite kyai, santri, Islamic boarding schools, as well as religious leaders, religious institutions, and all elements of the nation to jointly succeed in vaccination," he said while giving a speech at the launch of the program "Three Million Islamic Boarding Schools in West Java Ready for Vaccination" quoted Antara, Saturday, 14 August.

The "Three Million Islamic Boarding Schools in West Java are Ready for Vaccination" which was initiated by the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion and the West Java Provincial Government, which began today.

According to him, Islamic boarding school can accelerate the vaccination target promoted by the government, because Islamic boarding school is an ecosystem. Apart from kyai, ustadz, and santri, it also includes the community around the Islamic boarding school.

"If the vaccine is given to Islamic boarding schools, the ecosystem will also be helped," he said.

He hopes that religious leaders will also provide an explanation to the public about the purpose, purpose, and importance of vaccination.

Because, he said, until now there are still some people who refuse vaccines for various reasons.

"We hope that all take part in explaining. People refuse because they may not understand. Religious leaders are expected to provide enlightenment," he said.

Yaqut also reminded the public to continue to apply the health protocols and 5M discipline (washing hands, wearing masks, maintaining distance, avoiding crowds, reducing mobility) after being vaccinated.

"Don't crowd at the vaccination site. Ensure 5M discipline, use masks and wash hands. Keep the process maintained," he said.

Head of the West Java Ministry of Religion's Regional Office, Adib, said that santri vaccination was very strategic because santri were the young generation who were ready to be at the forefront to save the Republic of Indonesia.

Santri, he said, became a fortress of defense in the face of the onslaught of COVID-19.

"When the students are ready to be vaccinated, God willing, the wider community will be even more prepared," he said.

From the data he obtained, there are about three million students who study at a number of Islamic boarding schools in West Java. So this vaccination program is considered rational in an effort to accelerate the formation of group immunity.

"The number of students registered by the Ministry of Religion (West Java, ed.) has reached 3,120,000. There are still a number of Islamic boarding schools that have not been registered," he said.