Top photo credit: Instagram @habib_yusyaf
The Istiqlal Mosque officially announced that they would not hold Eid Al-Fitr Prayer in congregation. This decision was taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Head of Public Relations and Protocol of the Istiqlal Mosque, Abu Hurairah Abdul Salam said the decision had been taken by the High Priest of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar.
Quoted from cnnindonesia.com, further, Abu said Istiqlal Mosque would be closed and not operating during Eid Al-Fitr or on 1 Shawwal 1441 H. Abu explained, one of factors why the biggest mosque in Southeast Asia will not hold Eid prayer is because Jakarta is still included in the red zone of the Coronavirus spread.
Previously, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) had issued fatwa number 28 of 2020 related to the guidance of takbir and Eid al-Fitr prayer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Especially for Muslims who live in the red zone.
In addition to the MUI, Muhammadiyah also co-issued a Circular relating to "Eid Al-Fitr Prayer Guidelines in Emergency Condition of Pandemic Covid-19." Circular with number 04 / EDR / I.0 / E / 2020 dated May 14, 2020, explains that if on Shawwal or Eid Al-Fitr the government states that Indonesia is not yet free from Coronavirus outbreak, then it should not carry out Eid prayers in the field.