Tonight we are grateful for Allah's blessings that thank God we are given health

The Jakarta Provincial Government together with Jakarta Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) and Religion Ministry's Region Office, conducted Gebyar Dzikir Akbar and Doa Keberkahan (chants in praise of God) for city's 493rd anniversary virtually. It was done simultaneously in dozens of mosques in Jakarta, which was also attended by scholars, clerics and habaib.

It was held last night at 8 AM and officially opened by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan from his residence in Lebak Bulus Dalam, South Jakarta. It was also attended by Jakarta MUI Chairperson, KH Munahar Muchtar; Religion Ministry's Region Office Head, H Saiful Mujab; and Jakarta DMI Chairperson, KH Ma'mun Al Ayyubi.

"Our journey in Jakarta is long. Tonight we are grateful for Allah's blessings that thank God we are given health. InsyaAllah, God always protects Jakarta and its citizens and we can soon be free from the coronavirus," expressed Jakarta Governor from his residence, Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, as quoted by Jakarta PPID's press release.

He went on to say that this pandemic was more controlled with the readiness of health workers, medical facilities and massive testing through active case finding by puskesmas throughout Jakarta.

"This is an opportunity for us to explain religious teachings about how to overcome anxiety with tawakal. Beat anxiety with effort. And we realize that our duty in this world is to develop civilization. This is what we do now in Jakarta. This is not about how to develop civilization without knowledge, but instead rely on science. And these days are the days when we are tested to obey the principles of science according to their fields," he explained.

He appreciated the collaboration with MUI, DMI and the Religion Ministry's Regional Office in Jakarta in an effort to curb the COVID-19 outbreak, especially Jakarta MUI that shows a progressive attitude by referring to experts in the fields of health science, medical and epidemiology.

"During the pandemic, the religious scholars did not become a driver for us to be at home, I can't imagine what this Jakarta situation will be like. Even MUI Chairperson Mr Kyai Munahar Muchar, known as the most progressive person in promoting the protection of the people. This is an example of how we work together in Jakarta," he told.

He also explained that the last health defense in Jakarta was ready at the transitional PSBB, which was 67 special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, with more than 3,500 beds, more than 500 ICU room. The capacity of these health facilities was now only around 30-35% used for COVID-19 handling.

"In commemoration of city's anniversary, this year we are the generation that is destined to face the plague. Diseases like this occurred 100 years ago and we are destined to be part of that history. In the history of Jakarta, which has been almost 500 years, in 2020, let us together make a beautiful note about how we are tough in dealing with this disease," he stated.