Repeating previous calls from the Religious Affairs Ministry and Muslim groups, the MUI’s fatwa commission secretary, Asrorun Niam Sholeh, advised people living in areas at high risk of COVID-19 transmission to pray at home.

“Those living in considerably safer areas are allowed to perform mass prayers in mosques, but they must comply with strict health protocols. Use masks, perform wudhu [ablution rituals] at home, bring your own sajadah [prayer mat] and maintain physical distance,” he advised in a written statement on Tuesday.

“We need to focus on our health. If we are unfit or have preexisting conditions, it is advisable for us to pray from home.”

The Jakarta Bureau of Mental and Spiritual Education (Dikmental) warned of a potential large-scale spread of COVID-19 if worshippers ignored the call, as they would be in close contact with potential virus carriers.

“For people in red zones, please pray at home with your families. This is for our collective health and safety,” Dikmental head Hendra Hidayat said on Tuesday, as quoted by kompas.com.

According to the city’s COVID-19 website, corona.jakarta.go.id, 33 community units (RW) in Jakarta had been categorized as red zones as of July 23.

Popular

Why EV makers choose Vietnam, not nickel-rich Indonesia

Jakarta library reopens to packed rooms, long queues

State-sanctioned intolerance