TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the plan of Jakarta Government to hold tarawih prayers at National Monument or Monas was not determined recklessly.
"We have also asked the Ulemas’ opinion," said Sandiaga in Sunter, North Jakarta, today, Sunday, May 20.
The city administration planned to establish tarawih prayer at Monas on Friday, May 26. Jakarta Governor Anies Baswesan said the event will only feature mass tarawih prayer or Tarawih Akbar without mass fast-breaking event. However, Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)’s Chairman of Da'wah Commission Cholil Nafis conveyed four critics.
One of the critics, Cholil said, is that the implementation of tarawih prayer in the field is not ruled in Islamic Shari'ah (Islamic rules). "During Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad performs tarawih prayer in the mosque, not in the field," he told Tempo today.
Sandiaga Uno deemed the criticism as a good suggestion. However, tarawih prayer in Monas has been long planned considering the high enthusiasm of the public and Monas was chosen to unite the Jakartans as it is a symbol of the city and sufficient for a large number of congregations.
"The capacity of Istiqlal Mosque is not sufficient,” Sandiaga said, adding that Monas is already often used for Mawlid event (observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad) and Istighasa (an event of asking for help through the prophet).
SYAFIUL HADI