Gorontalo Calls Against Mass Eid Prayers amid Pandemic
Translator
Ricky Mohammad Nugraha
Editor
Laila Afifa
Jumat, 22 Mei 2020 07:57 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - North Gorontalo Regent Indra Yasin on Thursday withdrew from permitting residents to conduct mass Eid prayers in public fields following a meeting with representatives of local Islamic organizations, the Religious Affairs Ministry, and the region’s Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
This official collective decision effectively calls against mass prayers in public spaces and Mosques.
“We shall conduct the Eid prayers in the confinement of our homes with immediate family members as to break the chain of COVID-19 transmissions,” said Indra on Thursday, May 21.
The latest decision is heavily based on the official government guidance on Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr holidays and the Gorontalo Governor’s decree No.160/V/33/2020 upon extending the large-scale social restriction (PSBB).
The North Gorontalo administration strongly suggests the Muslim community to abide by the latest decision, which will also call against visiting relatives’ homes, an annual tradition for Indonesians during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
