The celebration of Eid al-Adha 1442 Hijriah in Indonesia where the majority of the population is Muslim, falls on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Unfortunately, this year's Eid al-Adha still has to be passed in the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Related to that, Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas issued a circular that forbids the mass Eid al-Adha prayers which are usually held in congregation in the mosques or on the field. In addition, the slaughter of sacrificial animals which is part of the ritual of Eid al-Adha must be also carried out with strict health protocols. The government has also instructed that the 2021 Eid al-Adha prayers be carried out at home during the Enforcement of Community Activity Restrictions.

Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in his circular said that the rules were issued to prevent the spread of Covid-19 from spreading again after the Eid al-Adha holiday this year.

The statement was reinforced by the appeal of Indonesian Vice President Ma'ruf Amin who is also a renowned  Ulama or Islamic scholar, asked all Indonesian Muslims to do the same. According to the Vice President, "Mass prayer is sunnah or  highly recommended, but protecting oneself from the Covid-19 pandemic is obligatory so that it is mandatory  and it takes precedence over the sunnah."

Quoting from Antara News Agency, VP Ma’ruf Amin emphasized that the policy is not to prevent Muslims from worshiping but to protect the public from the dangers of Covid-19.

Previously, in a meeting with the Indonesian  Ulemas Council –MUI and scholars throughout Indonesia on July 12, 2021, VP Ma’ruf Amin, who is also a cleric, reminded that tackling Covid-19 is a national, state and religious responsibility. Ulamas along with the government should enhance their role in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hopefully, the Circular of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs will be obeyed by the community in carrying out various rituals and traditions during Eid al-Adha 2021 in a bid to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Happy Eid Al-Adha 1442 Hijriah!