PBNU Urges People to Obey Govt Guidelines during Ramadan

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) has urged people to comply with all government decisions, including guidelines, on Ramadan worship in order to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission.

Comply with and obey the decisions, policies, and appeals of the central and regional governments in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while carrying out online gatherings on Eid al-Fitr 1442 H, without reducing the essence and value of friendship, wrote PBNU in a guidance letter for Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, which was signed by PBNU chairman Said Aqil Siroj on Monday.

The letter urged people to continuously improve their religious practice and draw closer to Allah by carrying out the obligations assigned by Him, carrying out Islamic prayers in congregation, tarawih prayers in congregation, reading Al-Quran, carrying out iktikaf (a period of staying in a mosque), and increasing other Sunnah (the Prophet's recommendations) practices.

Nevertheless, everything must be done while adhering to the protocols established by the government for preventing the spread of COVID-19, the letter stressed.

PBNU also urged that this blessed month be utilized by increasing social activities in the context of guiding the ummah, strengthening togetherness, and building friendship.

"Promote the obligation of zakat fitrah (alms) to the people and urge to distribute zakat to those who are entitled through NU-Care LAZISNU," Siroj stated.

Meanwhile, people can offer Eid al-Fitr prayers in mosques or in the fields as long as they continue to apply health protocols that have been established by the government, he added.

"Inviting all Muslims to pray to Allah God Almighty during the month of Ramadan 1442 H, begging the Indonesian people to be safe, to be kept away from calamities, disasters, and be able to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic," he remarked.

Meanwhile, the government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated that guidelines for easing Ramadan worship will allow activities such as tarawih prayers, reading Al-Quran, and offering Eid al-Fitr prayers to be held in congregation, with mosque capacities capped at 50 percent.

However, this easing will only apply to areas that are in the green and yellow zones, or where the transmission rates tend to be sloping, the minister informed.

Meanwhile, in the orange and red zones, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has requested that Ramadan services be held at home to minimize exposure to COVID-19.

Read: Indonesia Declares Ramadan 2021 Falls on April 13

ANTARA