BEKASI - The Bekasi Regency Government, West Java, appealed to all Muslims in the area to perform Eid prayers at home to anticipate a spike in COVID-19 cases.
"We have agreed to cancel the Eid prayer 1442 Hijriah in the field and mosques," said Head of the Welfare Section of the Bekasi Regency Secretariat, Beni Yulianto Iskandar in Cikarang, Saturday, July 17.
Beni said the decision was contained in a statement of agreement between the Bekasi Regency Government and the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Ministry of Religion and the Bekasi Regency Indonesian Mosque Council, following up on the Bekasi Regent's Instruction Number 14 of 2021 regarding Emergency PPKM.
The decision also refers to the Circular Letter of the Minister of Religion Number 17 of 2021 concerning the Temporary Elimination of Worship in Places of Worship, Takbiran Nights, Eid prayers and Technical Instructions for the Implementation of Sacrifice 1442 Hijriah in areas implementing Emergency PPKM.
"We are just reaffirming that we comply with the current provisions. So the omission of the Eid prayer is a directive from the central government and we are following up on it in the regions," he said.
In addition to the call for Eid prayers at home, the local government has also eliminated takbiran activities at mosques and prayer rooms as well as traveling takbirs, either on foot or using vehicles.
Secretary General of the MUI Bekasi Regency Muhiddin Kamal said the waiver of Eid prayers at places of worship was carried out to prevent crowds that could potentially cause the transmission of COVID-19.
"The government does not close the mosque and there is no prohibition on praying. Because this (Eiduladha prayer) can cause crowds and the PPKM condition is an emergency, the Eid prayer is carried out in their respective homes," he said.
In addition to the issue of Eid prayers which are not recommended in mosques or fields during the COVID-19 pandemic, Muhiddin also appealed to Muslims who carry out the slaughter of sacrificial animals to do it in a slaughterhouse or by the committee in a sterile place that does not cause crowds. "For the distribution of sacrificial meat, you must use a coupon and the meat will be delivered directly to their respective homes," he said.
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