President Jokowi performs Friday prayers

Jumat, 5 Juni 2020 18:41 WIB

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). ANTARA/HO/Lukas

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) performed Friday prayers at the Baiturrahim Mosque, the Presidential Palace Complex, here, following the start of the transition period for the gradual easing of Large-Scale Social Distancing (PSBB) measures in Jakarta.

The mass prayer was the first to be held at the mosque since the COVID-19 pandemic and since the implementation of PSBB in the capital city.

Wearing a mask, the president had to undergo a body temperature checkup before entering the mosque in line with the health protocols to thwart the spread of COVID-19.

In his sermon, Sudarjat, the imam of the Friday Prayer, reminded worshipers to continue to increase their faith and piety after completing the month-long fasting during Ramadan. He also prayed for the COVID-19 pandemic to end soon.

"During this time, Indonesian people and all nations worldwide are facing a very severe test in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic from Allah SWT. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, the pandemic will be over soon," the preacher stated.

According to information from the Press, Media, and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat, this Friday prayer was performed in accordance with stringent health protocols, including body temperature scanning and application of physical distancing among worshipers.

Furthermore, worshipers are required to carry along their own respective prayer equipment, wear masks, and wash themselves in accordance with the Islamic teachings before visiting the mosque.

The capacity of the mosque has also been temporarily reduced to only 150 worshipers, from its normal capacity of 750 worshipers.

Facilities for washing hands are provided at several points around the mosque, while soaps, hand sanitizers, and antiseptic tissues are available for worshipers to use.

Earlier, on Thursday (June 4), President Jokowi was accompanied by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno while reviewing the readiness to implement the new normal at the Baiturrahim Mosque. (INE)

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