Saudi Arabia\'s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud said in a televised address on Monday that the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to limit the impact of the spread of COVID-19 had been successful.
By
kompas team
·3 minutes read
Kompas
Muslim pilgrims gather around Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), southeast of the holy city of Mecca, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage amid the COVID-19 pandemic, on July 19, 2021. - Muslim pilgrims gathered at Mount Arafat today in the high point of this year\'s hajj, being held in downsized form and under coronavirus restrictions for the second year running. Just 60,000 people, all citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia, have been selected to take part in this year\'s hajj, with foreign pilgrims again barred.
MECCA, TUESDAY — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ensured that, as of its third day on Tuesday, this year’s haj pilgrimage has taken place in an orderly fashion. In general, health protocols for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 have been arranged in a number of locations, showing a massive adaptation to the pandemic in this year’s haj, using technology and the latest social measures.
Pilgrims threw jumarah (pebbles) at a wall symbolizing the devil upon arrival in the city of Mina on Tuesday. The Al-Arabiya media outlet reported that pilgrims, who normally collected stones from Muzdalifah themselves, had received a bag of sanitized pebbles as a virus prevention measure. Yellow markers were placed on the floor around the wall so that worshipers could maintain a distance of 2 meters. After the symbolic stoning, the congregation returned to the Grand Mosque for the final tawaf (circumambulation) around the Kaaba.
Saudi Arabia\'s King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud said in a televised address on Monday that the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to limit the impact of the spread of COVID-19 had been successful. "Strict precautionary measures enabled pilgrims to perform the pilgrimage," he said.
The Health Ministry of Saudi Arabia said that if there was a guarantee that COVID-19 could be controlled completely and the safety of the approximately 60,000 haj pilgrims could be ensured, the haj could be held as usual next year.
The President said the pandemic was a difficult test that had to be faced with sacrifice, togetherness and earnest efforts.
In Jakarta, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Ma\'ruf Amin wished the nation a happy Idul Adha on their respective social media accounts on Tuesday. The President said the pandemic was a difficult test that had to be faced with sacrifice, togetherness and earnest efforts.
LUKAS - BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN
President Joko Widodo delivered an introduction at the Takbir Akbar Hari Raya Idul Adha 1442 which was held via video conference from the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Monday (19/7/2021).
Meanwhile, Vice President Amin said the essence of the spirit of sacrifice was to help others in need. The Vice President invited all Indonesians to work together to break the chain of the COVID-19 transmission. "Let’s all ask God to make it easy for us to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit this beloved country. May God always give us guidance and bless all the efforts we make," added the Vice President.
In Medan, North Sumatra Governor Edy Rahmayadi and Deputy Governor Musa Rajekshah performed Idul Adha prayers at their respective homes. "Even in a pandemic like now, our happiness in celebrating Idul Adha is not reduced. The important thing is that we are still given good health," said Edy at his private residence in Delitua, Deli Serdang regency.
Musa also asked Muslims to help each other in celebrating this year’s Idul Adha, especially people whose incomes had declined because of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Hopefully we are all healthy and this pandemic will end quickly," he said.
HUMAS PEMPROV SUMUT
North Sumatra Deputy Governor Musa Rajekshah performs Eid al-Adha prayers at his official residence, in Medan, on Tuesday (20/7/2021).
Meanwhile in West Java, the Bekasi city administration sought to ensure that the slaughter of sacrificial animals outside abattoirs was closely monitored by the local government. The number of people carrying out sacrificial slaughters was limited to 10, and participants were expected to undergo an antigen test first. "The meat should also be distributed directly to the recipients\' houses to avoid crowds," Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi said in the city on Monday.
