TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An international mass prayer gathering World Ijtima Asia Zone planned to be held at Darul Ulum Islamic Boarding School in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi on March 19-22 amid coronavirus pandemic was finally canceled today, March 19.

From the data collected by Tempo as of Wednesday, March 18 at 1:30 p.m. local times, thousands of participants both foreigners and Indonesian nationals had arrived at the location. "The total number of participants who have been present is 8,694," as quoted from a Tempo source.

The foreign participants amounted to 411 people hailed from nine countries, viz. Pakistan (58 people), India (35), Malaysia (83), Thailand (176), Brunei (1), Timor Leste (24), Saudi Arabia (8), Bangladesh (24), and the Philippines (2). They entered Makassar City through airport, while Indonesian participants reached 8,283 people from 29 provinces.

Previously, the organizing committee was determined to hold the mass prayer or grand tabligh amid the coronavirus pandemic. According to the organizing committee, Mustari Burhanuddin, the meeting would still be held since participants had arrived at the location.

A presidential spokesperson Fadjroel Rachman explained that this year's World Ijtima Asia Zone in Gowa, South Sulawesi were canceled by mutual agreement of related parties under the coordination of South Sulawesi Governor and South Sulawesi Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda).

"Based on information from South Sulawesi Governor Nurdin Abdullah and Religious Affairs Office of South Sulawesi after coordinating with the National Police Chief, Regional Police Head, and Gowa Regent, the event was officially canceled," Fadjroel said in his written statement on Thursday, March 19.

Fadjroel said all participants will be sent home by airplane or ship today. President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, he added, expressed his deepest gratitude to all parties who sincerely adhere to the call for social distance which aimed at warding off the spread of the coronavirus contagion or COVID-19.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA | FRISKI RIANA