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A screenshot of Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas delivering the results of a meeting on restrictions on community movement during the implementation of emergency PPKM on Friday (July 2, 2021). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah) - 

The successful implementation of emergency public activity restrictions (emergency PPKM) in Java and Bali requires citizen participation, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has said.

"So that efforts to handle the COVID-19 pandemic can run effectively and optimally. No matter how good and strict the rules are, if they do not involve community participation, they will be useless," the minister said in Jakarta on Friday.

Quoting President Joko Widodo, he said that the policies issued by the government are solely for the sake of protecting and maintaining the health and safety of the public.

So, the community must work hand in hand for the successful implementation of the emergency PPKM, he added.

One thing that can be done at the community level is following every recommendation issued by the government, he advised.

"This government's effort is solely to protect the public and maintain their health and safety," he reiterated.

Earlier, the Ministry of Religion had said it will regulate restrictions on religious activities during the implementation of emergency PPKM from July 3 to July 20, 2021 in Java and Bali, including the closure of places of worship such as mosques, churches, and temples.

"The Ministry of Religion has also prepared regulations to abolish worship in places of worship, such as mosques, churches, temples, and so on," Minister Qoumas said.

He said the Ministry of Religion will issue a circular to regulate worship during emergency PPKM as well as to reinforce its previous circular.

The ministry will not just prohibit religious activities in places of worship, but also regulate “takbiran”, which involves the chanting of the phrase ‘God is great’.

People will not be allowed to venture on the streets for "takbiran" in zones where emergency PPKM are being implemented, Quomas said. The government will also prohibit “takbiran” in mosques in such areas, he added.

During Eid al-Adha, the slaughter of sacrificial animals for Eid will need to be carried out in an open place, he said.

The person who performs the “qurban” (animal sacrifice) can witness the slaughtering process, he added.

Then, during the distribution process, the sacrificial meat will be given directly by the committees to those who are entitled to it at their respective homes, he said//ANT