City Limits and Suspends Any Religious Activities for Two Weeks

We decide to hold any religious activities at home

Following the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI)'s fatwa issuance on compulsory Muslim prayers specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan met with religious leaders and cultural figures in Jakarta, which took place at Pattern Room, Block G, City Hall, on Thursday (3/19).

During the meeting, the governor gave a briefing on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and requested all religious and cultural activities in Jakarta to be suspended or canceled for two weeks ahead.

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"Along with Polda Metro Jaya and Kodam Jaya, we meet with the Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB), religious leaders and cultural figures in Jakarta to discuss about the development of COVID-19 and steps that must be done to protect our people. We decide to hold any religious activities at home," he expressed, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

It was because the virus spreads rapidly and Jakarta has become one of the COVID-19 epicenter.

"Yesterday, there were 160 cases and increased by 208 in this morning. The virus has covered almost regions. That's why we hold a meeting now and keeps monitoring the latest conditions," he explained.

There would be many consequences from this step in which the government has constitutional responsibility to protect the entire Indonesian people amid coronavirus fears.

"Therefore, Friday prayer, which is usually at the mosque must be postponed for two weeks, including rituals and ceremonies of Misa and Nyepi (Hindu Day of Silence). They also agreed on this matter," he told.

He added the city together with Polda Metro Jaya and Kodam Jaya would instruct all levels of staff to help supervise and discipline thus the steps taken in preventing the virus can be done properly and correctly.

"Stay home and avoid interacting, considering the potential is not always a symptom," he stressed.

In the meeting itself was attended by Jakarta MUI Chairman, KH. Munahar Muchtar; Jakarta DMI Chairman, KH. Makmun Al Ayyubi; Jakarta PGI Chairman, Pastor Manuel Raintung; Jakarta Archdiocese, Romo Suyadi; Jakarta PHDI, I Nengah Dharma; Jakarta Walubi, Pstor Liem.

There were also Jakarta FKUB Chairman; Pembimas Kristen Chairman; Pembimas Katolik Chairman; Pembimas Hindu Chairman; Pembimas Budha Chairman; MUI Chairman; DMI Chairman; LPTQ Chairman; Jakarta Baznas (Bazis) Chairman; PWNU Chairman; PW Muhammadiyah Chairman; PW Persis 18 Chairman; PW Matla'ul Anwar Chairman; PW AI Irsyad Chairman; PW PUI Chairman; PW LDII 22 Chairman; DDII Chairman; FUHAB Chairman; BKPRMI Chairman; PITI 26 Chairman; Perkumpulan Ustadzah Peduli Negeri Chairwoman; PW Wanita Islam Chairwoman; and FKMT 29 Chairman.

BKMT Chairman; BWI Chairman; Majlis Taklim Nurul Musthofa Chairman; BP4 Chairman; Front Pembela Islam (FPI) Chairman; Muslimat NU Chairman; Aisyah Chairman; MBÍ Chairman; Walubi Chairman; KAJ Chairman; PGIW Chairman; PGPI Chairman; Persekutuan Gereja dan Injil Indonesia Chairman; Persekutuan Gereja Tionghoa Indonesia (PGTI) Chairman; Gereja Advent Indonesia Chairman; Bala Keselamatan Chairman; PHDI Chairman; LPDG Chairman; IPNU Chairman; IPPNU Chairman; or representing

Cultural figures included Jose Rizal Manua; Danton Sihombing; Madin E Sumadiningrat; Nungki Kusumastuti; Entong Sukirman; Slamet Rahardja; Ratna Riantiarno or the representative those who cannot attend.