TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin called on the public to wage jihad, or holy fights, by making all necessary efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic and overcome its impacts on various sectors.

The VP made the statement during his speech at a virtual professorial inauguration event at the University of Surabaya on Monday, September 7.

“During this pandemic situation, I invite all to jointly wage jihad [against Covid-19] and overcome various impacts caused by the pandemic, either in health, social, or economic sectors,” said Ma'ruf.

He also demanded all academics to play a bigger role in seeking solutions and innovations to various pandemic issues in order to accelerate the recovery of people’s lives and the economy. “I have high hopes for higher education.”

All students and lecturers were also asked to be disciplined in implementing the health protocols in their communities, Ma'ruf added. According to him, academics should be a role model for the public in the compliance of the basic health principles such as wearing face masks, washing hands with soap and running water, and maintaining physical distancing.

“I specifically demand people in higher education to educate and disseminate [the health protocols] massively. Universities must be a model and provide guidance to the public,” Ma'ruf Amin remarked.

Editor's Note: Jihad is not a term for terrorism. Literal meaning of the word is "to struggle" or "putting effort". It means so much more than just a holy war, and the term is applicable in daily life routines such as like working to earn wage for the family, being a teacher and teaching students, and being a doctor and caring for a patient's health.

ANTARA