President Jokowi, First Lady Perform Eid Prayers at Bogor Palace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo performed Eid prayers in the yard of the main building of the Bogor Presidential Palace, Bogor, West Java on Thursday morning, May 13, 2021.

Jokowi, donning a long-sleeve shirt, batik sarong and a black peci (cap) arrived in the yard at around 06.16 a.m. local time and took the front row, accompanied by First Lady Iriana, who was seen wearing a light brown mukena (female prayer dress).

The prayers began at 06.36 a.m., with 2^nd Sgt. Ridwan Payopo, a member of the Personal Security Team of the 1^st Detachment of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) acting as imam (prayer reader).

In his sermon, Ridwan said observing religious teachings, performing prayers at home and accepting the pandemic-plagued situation were part of the tests given by Allah.

“We have to be patient in accepting this reality, because the bottom line is what we do is none other than obeying Allah, Rasulullah, the clerics, and the authorities that strive to save the people from the pandemic,” he said.

The prayers were carried out under strict health protocols, which among them required the checking of body temperatures and physical distancing.

The prayers ended at around 07.02 a.m. and President Jokowi and First Lady Iriana returned to Wisma Bayurini of the Bogor Presidential Palace afterwards.

Read: Jakarta Police Advise Public to Perform Eid Prayers at Home

EGI ADYATAMA