Istiqlal Grand Imam on Post-pandemic Religious Worship Tradition
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27 May 2020 16:25 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The grand Imam of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar rallied Muslims to “make peace” with the situation the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused and implement a new tradition among society in terms of maintaining communication or silaturahmi.
The grand imam of one of Southeast Asia’s largest mosques reminds us that the normal situation we know so well prior to the pandemic has yet been restored and that people must abide by current health protocols.
He reminded people to always wear their masks without feeling embarrassed or feel awkward if someone refuses to open their masks. Mosque congregations, he went on, must continue such practice as it is what the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has also recommended.
“It’s how we take care of ourselves and how to always consider the neighbors that would be beside us over the prayer mat (sajadah). Social distancing must continue to be applied,” said Nasaruddin Umar during the press conference with the national COVID-19 mitigation task force on Wednesday, May 27.
“Who knows if the coronavirus or COVID-19 was God sent to bring a certain mission. Urging us to the righteous path,” said the Istiqlal Mosque Grand Imam. “There’s always a lesson to be learned in every disaster.”
ANTARA
