REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- In every month of Ramadhan in Indonesia, breaking the fast (iftar) together is a common tradition, including what is usually done at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. The Istiqlal Mosque does not serve iftar together in 2021.
This is considering the implementation of restrictions on micro community activities (PPKM) in DKI Jakarta due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, KH Nasaruddin Umar, said that the iftar activity which is usually awaited by the community was not carried out this year.
"We do not break the fast. So, only Tarawih prayers are used, five daily prayers, no breaking the fast, no other prayers, and no sahur," said Nasaruddin in Jakarta, Friday (9/4).
Nasaruddin explained that the Istiqlal Mosque was for the first time opened for Friday prayers on April 9 with a limited capacity of 2,000 worshipers. That number is certainly very small when compared to the total capacity of the mosque which reaches 250 thousand people.
A number of simulations have been carried out, namely determining the distance between congregation members of 1.5 meters, providing hand sanitizers and soap in public areas.
For worship activities, Istiqlal only opens for the five daily prayers and Tarawih prayers and is performed only on the main floor.
After the Tarawih and Witir prayers, the mosque was closed at 20.00 WIB to spray the disinfectant. "There are only Maghrib, Isya, Tarawih, Witir prayers, then after that at 08.00 WIB, we empty the mosque again to immediately sterilize it again. So, every night we do this spraying at Istiqlal," said Nasarudin.
Istiqlal Mosque also only opens its doors in the north and south sectors. Meanwhile, the east door or the one opposite the cathedral is still closed because the construction of the Gathering Tunnel is still under construction.
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