The Religious Affairs Ministry and the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) are urging people to celebrate Idul Adha (the Islamic Day of Sacrifice)
By
KOMPAS TEAM
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Religious Affairs Ministry and the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) are urging people to celebrate Idul Adha (the Islamic Day of Sacrifice), which falls on Friday (31/7/2020) of the year 1441 on the Islamic calendar, using strict health protocols. This aims to reduce the potential for the spread of COVID-19, especially during congregational prayers, the slaughter of sacrificial animals and the distribution of their meat.
Religious Affairs Ministry community development director general Kamaruddin Amin said in Jakarta on Tuesday (28/7/2020) that the ministry had distributed its guidelines for Idul Adha prayer and sacrifices through its office and regional COVID-19 task forces. The information has also been shared on the ministry’s social media channels, including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
The letter asked that prayers and sermons be expedited where possible without foregoing religious obligations.
Previously, Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi issued Circular No. 18/2020 on the organization of Idul Adha prayer and sacrifice in the year 1441 on the Islamic calendar, or 2020. The circular stipulated that the activities could only be carried out in regions deemed safe from the spread of COVID-19. Before the prayer, organizers would have to disinfect the prayer area, provide liquid hand sanitizer, check congregants’ body temperatures and enforce distancing between congregants, who would be required to wear masks. The letter asked that prayers and sermons be expedited where possible without foregoing religious obligations.
The letter also stated that animals had to be slaughtered in an area that enabled physical distancing and that the event could only be attended by its organizers and those who registered for the sacrifice. Mosques that organized Idul Adha activities had to establish a team to ensure the proper implementation of COVID-19 protocols.
MUI fatwa commission secretary M Asrorun Ni’am said at a virtual press conference that Idul Adha religious activities should be in line with health protocols. “In areas with high levels of COVID-19 contagion, people must pray at home with family members,” he said.
Crowds, he said, must not form during slaughtering ceremonies, which could be performed in the four days between the end of the Idul Adha prayer on Friday (31/7) and before dusk on Monday (3/8).
Muslim mass organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) secretary general Helmy Faishal Zaini reinforced the position of the MUI. “In zones where the Idul Adha prayer is allowed, please maintain physical distance and wear masks while praying,” he said.“Praying at home with family members is prioritized,” Muhammadiyah secretary general Abdul Mu’ti said.
Agriculture Ministry veterinary public health director Syamsul Ma’arif said that the distribution of sacrificial meat should be done by delivery service to avoid the formation of crowds.
Regional precautionary measures
Regional administrations are also making efforts to implement health protocols during Idul Adha. Sidoarjo acting regent Nur Ahmad Syaifuddin said he had asked village administrations to provide more places for prayer to prevent crowding.
South Tangerang mayor Airin Rachmi Diany assured residents that performing Idul Adha prayers in mosques and open spaces was still permitted. However, she said, it would be better to pray at home, if possible.
Tangerang mayor Arief Wismansyah called on locals to perform Idul Adha prayers not only at mosques but also at musala (prayer rooms) and open fields. This was to avoid excessive crowding.
Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Yusri Yunus said that the police would be prepared to help ensure the implementation of health protocols during Idul Adha prayers and sacrifices, provided these activities were carried out in green zones.
It is better to avoid doing takbir on the streets to avoid crowds.
Sidoarjo Police chief Sr. Comr. Sumardji said he hoped that takbir (chanting of “God is great”) would be carried out in mosques, musala and homes with the strict implementation of health protocols. “It is better to avoid doing takbir on the streets to avoid crowds,” he said.
The mobility of people
Two days before Idul Adha, intercity movement remains strong. At the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Tangerang, Banten, a large number of travelers are leaving Jakarta for their hometowns. Many say that travel has become easier after the easing of travel restrictions. These days, travelers are only required to provide non-reactive rapid test results and download and fill out the electronic Health Alert Card (e-HAC) application.
Airlangga University epidemiologist Windhu Purnomo said in Surabaya, East Java, that the uncontrolled movement of people between regions ahead of and during Idul Adha could trigger COVID-19 contagion across regions. “The potential for the spread of COVID-19 is high if people’s movement is uncontrolled,” he said.(MTK/NIK/IGA/GIO/JOG/SYA/BRO/TAN/FRD/DEA/NTA/REK)