Heru Budi Doesn't Want To Continue The Anies Tradition Of Holding Eid Prayers At JIS, Prefers The Fatahillah Mosque

Acting Governor Of DKI Heru Budi Hartono/DOK PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono admitted that he did not want to hold Eid prayers at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS). Heru prefers Eid prayers at the Fatahillah Mosque, DKI Jakarta City Hall on Eid. "The prayers are here (Matahillah Mosque City Hall)," said Heru during a meeting at the DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, April 5. In previous years, the Fatahillah Mosque has routinely been a place for Eid prayers for the Governor of DKI Jakarta since several periods ago. Then, when JIS was completed and officially operated, the stadium in Papanggo, North Jakarta became the location of the Eid prayer held by former DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan. Anies first held Eid prayers at JIS on May 2, 2022 in the western ramp area, when restrictions on community activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic had been relaxed. Then, Anies again held Eid prayers on July 10, 2022 at the same location. However, Heru did not want to explain the reason why he decided not to continue the tradition of Anies holding the national religious holiday at JIS. "It's okay (not to hold Eid prayers at JIS)," said the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (Kasetpres). Previously, the chairman of the PKS faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Achmad Yani, asked JIS to return to the Eid prayer area. This request was expressed to PT Jakarta Propertindo as the manager of JIS. "This is for Jakpro, last time at JIS there was a takbiran night, sir, I was present at that time, then in the morning there was an Eid prayer event. I was quite lively, yes, quite good," said Yani at the Commission B meeting of the DKI Jakarta DPRD, Tuesday, April 4. According to Yani, the DKI Provincial Government needs to continue the tradition of Anies holding Eid prayers at the stadium located in Papanggo, North Jakarta. "This year, (Idul Fitri prayer) will be held (at JIS) or not, sir? Although, it is actually good to do something positive, it can be maintained," he explained. Responding to this, the President Director of PT Jakpro Iwan Takwin admitted that the implementation of worship on national religious holidays was a program of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government.

"For community activities, last year the one who held it was not Jakpro, but in this case the provincial government, in collaboration with Jakpro. We are not alone," said Iwan.