Ma'ruf Amin Reasserts Ban on Mass Prayers in COVID-19 Red Zone

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin once again asserted that mass religious activities are prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in areas declared as red zones.

“People are suggested to perform prayers at home, perform Tarawih (Ramadan evening prayer) at home, and recite the Quran at home. [Those activities] are prohibited to be held in a congregation in a mosque, let alone in red zones,” said Ma'ruf in a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, April 28.

Ma'ruf acknowledged that performing prayers in congregation in a mosque will lead to more rewards. However, during this current condition, these activities will pose harm to others.

“We are now dealing with an alarming situation. Performing prayers together indeed brings more rewards, but that poses dangers, it will cause mudarat or damages,” said the VP who is also the non-active chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).

Ma'ruf reiterated that the government’s appeal to pray at home during a pandemic followed the Prophet’s messages that a Muslim should not harm himself or others for his words and deeds. By means, visiting a mosque to pray in congregation in this current situation may cause damage to the society.

“Reciting Quran and I'tikaf (self-seclusion in a mosque during Ramadan) have the potential for COVID-19 transmission. We can be infected or we can infect people as we carry the virus [a silent carrier],” he explained.

Therefore, Ma'ruf Amin called for the public's understanding and appealed to all to comply with the government’s order to pray at home during this holy month of Ramadan.

ANTARA