TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ulema Council or MUI chairman Cholil Nafis suggested President Joko Jokowi Widodo should remove the ban on the breaking-of-the-fast gathering or bukber during Ramadan 1444 Hijri. He argued that the reason behind the restriction which is to prevent state officials from showing off their lavish lifedata-style has nothing to do with bukber events.

In his instruction, Jokowi noted that the ban is issued to anticipate COVID-19 transmission as Indonesia is still in the transition period from pandemic to endemic.

“Bapak President’s order that prohibits the breaking-of-the-fast gathering should be revoked so that it doesn't continuously cause uproar during Ramadan. This is because prohibiting the fast-breaking gathering for the sake of showing a modest lifedata-style, especially because of COVID-19, is really unrealistic. It is simple,” Cholil tweeted via his Twitter account, @cholilnafis on Friday, March 24. Tempo had asked permission to quote the tweet.

Apart from that, Cholil questioned the consistency of the reasons behind the prohibition. In the circular of the Cabinet Secretary Number R 38/Seskab/DKK/03/2023 dated March 21, 2023, Jokowi prohibited such gatherings on the grounds of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said the reason was due to worries over officials showing off their wealth.

“Is it because of COVID-19 or state officials’ lavish lifedata-style? As far as I know, breaking the fast together is done simply, it doesn't need to be like a concert,” Cholil said.

Cholil further opined that having to break the fast together post-COVID-19 makes the celebration of Ramadan even more lively. Bukber maintains friendship, consolidation, and community togetherness.

“It is a tradition wrapped in Indonesian-data-style religious events. Gatherings during Ramadan are more fun,” said Cholil.

Previously, Cabinet Secretary Minister Pramono Anung clarified President Jokowi's order regarding the ban on Bukber. He underlined that the ban is only applied to coordinating ministers, ministers, and heads of state institutions.

M JULNIS FIRMANSYAH

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