We urge Muslims to suspend all communal worship activities for two weeks

The Jakarta Provincial Government had to suspend Friday prayers in mosques throughout the Jakarta area for two weeks ahead, following a warning from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to suspend the mass prayers, especially in areas hit by COVID-19.

"The consequence is for Muslims who routinely do Friday prayers every Friday. Last week, we asked them to bring their own prayer mats. But today we decide it to suspend it up to two weeks ahead. We'll do monitoring continuously," expressed Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

He also reminded about the status of Jakarta as an epicenter with a rapid spread of movement. Therefore, it was important to work together with citizens to stay at home to reduce transmission.

"Our hope is together to protect Jakartans. Stay home, avoid contact in person, this is very important. This is about our family," he explained.

Further, Jakarta MUI Chairman KH. Munahar Muchtar conveyed that MUI issued a fatwa number 14/2020 on Muslims to avoid praying in congregations, including for Friday prayers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We urge Muslims to suspend all communal worship activities for two weeks. We urge citizens to pray at home during this time. Don't forget ikhtiar which is our obligation thus the city government hopes for us to be safe from the current worrisome situation," he closed.