By: Muhammad Yasin)*
The public appreciates the Government’s policy of allowing Eid prayer 1443 H/2022 in congregation, including by closing the rows. Nevertheless, the public is reminded to always wear masks and apply strict Prokes because no place is free from Covid-19 transmission.
Good news for all Muslims in Indonesia ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebration. The reason is that there was an announcement from Major General TNI Suharyanto as the Head of the Covid-19 Task Force which stated that the Eid prayer on 1443 H could be done in congregation in the mosque or in the field. Not only that, but he also added that prayer activities can be done without the need to keep a distance.
However, one important thing is that Lt. Gen. Suharyanto advised that all worshipers must still wear masks when praying. Then specifically for preachers who give lectures or sermons on Eid al-Fitr, they are allowed to take off their masks because the distance between him and the congregation will usually be relatively safe.
Of course, this news is very happy and deserves our greatest appreciation. The reason is that it has been about 2 years since we celebrated Hari Raya but always in the gripping Covid-19 pandemic conditions, even in some places, the Government has given a firm appeal to all people to pray at home.
After the Government’s various efforts in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic have yielded results, finally at the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebration we can pray in congregation and also by closing ranks. This is also one of the evidences that collaboration and public adherence to the Government’s Covid-19 policies have a significant impact.
The easing of the implementation of Eid prayers has also been in accordance with the Covid-19 conditions in Indonesia which tend to slope due to the increase in public antibodies. Based on the results of the Ministry of Health’s latest antibody serological survey, it is known that 99.2% of Indonesians already have antibodies from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. According to Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, the antibodies were formed as a result of previous vaccinations and Covid-19 infections.
The spokesman for the Covid-19 Handling, Prof. Wiku Adisasmito, also said that it was permissible to carry out the Eid prayer in congregation at the mosque or local field. Even so, according to him, don’t let people become careless and don’t apply health protocols at all, such as wearing masks or providing hand sanitizers.
Although on the one hand there has been a survey which states that the immunity of the community has reached 90 percent, but we also have to protect vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Prof. Wiku emphasized that we should not let all these concessions actually make us feel too safe so that we risk making a spike in cases again.
He did not forget to also emphasize to the entire community, especially those who have not yet received the full dose of vaccine, to immediately vaccinate. Because this is really important to create our body’s resilience, especially soon there will be community activities in carrying out mobility such as going home to their hometown and of course making contact with many people.
So far, with the condition of the COVID-19 case which continues to slop and also on the other hand the vaccination coverage for the community continues to expand, thus making the control of the Covid-19 pandemic under control. Of course, all of that cannot be separated from the role of the Government since the beginning of handling the pandemic through various efforts to immediately break the chain of transmission of Covid-19 in Indonesia.
The public appreciates the government’s policy of easing the Eid al-Fitr prayers, which are still happening during the Covid-19 pandemic, as positive cases in the country continue to decline. However, the public is asked not to be euphoric about the decision and to always obey Prokes in worship and activities.
)* The author is a contributor to the Pertiwi Institute
