TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Rangkasbitung Grand Mosque in Lebak regency, Banten, still held tarawih or Ramadan evening prayers on Thursday, April 23, amid the coronavirus outbreak.

However, the mosque management said the prayers were held by complying with the health protocol in a bid to prevent the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread.

“We are until now holding mass five-time obligatory prayers and Friday prayers considering Lebak is classified as a green zone,” said the head of the mosque’s welfare council (DKM), H Eri Rachmat, in Lebak, Thursday, April 24.

Rachmat underlined that the prayers were carried out while maintaining the physical distancing order, which is a part of the protocol. The mosque has marked the distance points as guidelines for congregations. Additionally, people are required to wear face masks and bring their own prayer mats.

Some 250 people visited the mosque last night for their first tarawih prayers. Before entering the place, they are obliged to wash their hands with hand sanitizers and sprayed with disinfectant liquid.

“We are adopting the health protocols in carrying out tarawih prayers to prevent the coronavirus spread,” Rachmat remarked, hoping the pandemic would end soon.

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Indonesia starts on Friday, April 24, as announced by the Religious Affairs Ministry on Thursday evening, April 23.

TEMPO