Itiqlal Mosque Holds Congregational Tarawih, Short Lectures, Bukber Tradition Only Every Monday And Thursday

Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Istiqlal Mosque will hold congregational tarawih prayers in Ramadan 2022. However, while still implementing strict health protocols.

"The Tarawih prayer will be held once. Later, it will be our national and international qori imam," said Nassarudin Umar in Jakarta, Friday, March 25.

Nasaruddin said the tarawih lecture in Ramadan 2022 will be shortened. This is to avoid unwanted things in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

However, Nasaruddin could not confirm the capacity of the congregation during the Tarawih prayer.

In the previous year, the capacity for congregational tarawih prayers at the Istiqlal Mosque was only 30 percent or around 2,000 people for the main room. Pilgrims who will enter Istiqlal must go through screening first.

"What we avoid is the accumulation of worshipers. In the upper (room) there are no problems, what we have to calculate is the entrance, parking and slipper storage," he said, as reported by Antara.

Likewise with breaking fast, the Istiqlal manager will again hold iftar activities after the last two years had to be stopped due to the high COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, especially Jakarta.

He said the Istiqlal Mosque has held iftar (bukber) Mondays and Thursdays in recent weeks. This condition is also a trial for the implementation of breaking the fast for Ramadan.

"We break the fast following an old tradition. From us to us. So this Istiqlal has been extraordinary," he added.

Nasaruddin appealed to the congregation to continue to adhere to health protocols while in the mosque area. Pilgrims who will perform prayers, must wear a mask.

"We apply mandatory masks for all pilgrims, we also prepare spare masks. Our officers will be disciplined in calling on the congregation," he said.