Covid-19 Is Not Punishment from God: NU Cleric
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10 December 2020 21:19 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cleric Muhammad Makmun Rasyid called on all religious figures not to consider Covid-19 as a punishment from God since there is no verse saying that coronavirus is God’s army.
“The virus is not God’s torment, not punishment,” said Makmun in a virtual press conference on religious and Covid-19 mitigation on Thursday, Dec. 10.
Attended the event were interfaith leaders, including Venerable Monk Dutavira Mahastavira who is the Head of Walubi Sangha Council and Catholic priest Fransiskus Xaverius Mudji Sutrisno, SJ.
Makmun said the Covid-19 outbreak must be contained together with all efforts for the common good, such as by implementing health protocols as it could save many people. The role of interfaith leaders, he added, is necessary to guide the public in passing through the ordeal.
According to the NU cleric, the pandemic should be interpreted as an instrument to restore public awareness to protect each other.
“This is a phase of self-purification, tazkiyatun nafs (the purification of the soul), and to restore awareness to protect each other. Indonesia is our prayer mat,” Makmun said.
The pandemic is a test of faith for believers, he opined. When it occurs, people are asked to prioritize the common good. In Islam, it is highly advised not to prioritize individual worship interest during an outbreak so that there is tolerance in worship.
“What we do is not always about personal but also for the benefit of all. There should be no crowd in mosques, we can perform prayers at home and it will not reduce the reward,” the cleric said.
Read: Task Force Criticizes Poor Health Protocol Facilities in Voting Stations
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