Jakarta (VOI News) - The role of religious leaders in the post pandemic period is as important as in the pandemic era. For this reason, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin called on religious leaders to inspire people to work hard to restore the conditions as it was before the pandemic. This was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin in his address at the Cross-Faith National Virtual Dialogue themed the Role and Challenges of Religion in the Post-Pandemic Period in Jakarta, Tuesday (14/7).
"In this case I would like to invite religious leaders to arouse the spirit of the people to work hard in order to restore the conditions as before COVID-19 and to catch up the backwardness that occurred due to COVID-19. More than that, refocusing the nation's energy and thinking to achieve the national development goals, namely advanced Indonesia," said Ma'ruf Amin.
Vice President Ma'ruf Amin added that the progress of science and technology must be in line with the preservation of the faith and piety of religious communities.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Minister of Religion Fachrul Razi, in his remarks appreciated the positive things done when overcoming the COVID-19 outbreak, namely all groups throughout the world, including in Indonesia, cooperating with each other in overcoming this pandemic regardless of the state or religion.
"But a very positive thing we see when we overcome this epidemic, everyone works together, all nations work together to overcome it, so that we no longer care what medicine equipment comes from which country, what religion of the country is. Or when in Indonesia, for example, we don't care what the patient’s religion is, what doctor’s religion is, what nurse’s religion is, then what sponsors’ religions supporting the funds. All of us are working together to make efforts to save everyone from the COVID-19 outbreak," Fachrul Razi said.
The Cross-Faith National Virtual Dialogue was held by the Istiqlal Mosque Management Board. Present as speakers were Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, MA, Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque; Cardinal Mgr. Ignatius Suharyo of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference; Reverend Gomar Gultom of the Indonesian Church Fellowship, Maj. Gen. (ret) Wisnu Bawa Tenaya of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia; Dr. Sri Hartati Murdaya of Indonesian Buddhist Guardians (Wali Umat Budha Indonesia); Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo of the Indonesian Supreme Council of Confucius Religion, and Dr. H. Nifasri M.Pd, Head of the Center of Religious Harmony of the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. (VOI / AHM)
In commemoration of the 89th Anniversary of Jammu & Kashmir Martyrs Day (Yom e Shuhada) Monday (13/07), the Embassy of Pakistan Jakarta, in collaboration with “Dyplo Corps”, a Youth Forum of the Sharif Hidayatullah State University Jakarta, held a webinar on the Topic “Foreign Policy of Pakistan & Regional Challenges". a release received by Voice of Indonesia, Tuesday (14/07) said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Charge d’ Affaires of Pakistan to Indonesia, Sajjad Haider Khan highlighted various contours and highlights of the Foreign Policy of Pakistan, and gave a detailed description of Pakistan’s History, Geography, Strategic location, and Regional Dynamics. He discussed various issues faced by the world including the rising wave of Islamophobia, US-China trade war, Covid-19 Crisis, Great powers contestation in the Indo-Pacific Region, Unrest in the Middle East, Afghan Peace Deal, and India’s hegemonic posture in the South Asian region with special reference to the recent problems created by India with its neighbors, including Pakistan, China, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Sajjad Haider Khan highlighted the importance and history of Jammu & Kashmir Martyrs Day. He described in detail, the ongoing wave of intolerance and state sponsored repression against minorities (especially Muslims) in India. He specifically highlighted the plight of innocent people of Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir where the Indian occupation forces have unleashed a reign of terror and brutalities since 1947. Quoting the recent illegal attempts of changing the demography of Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian Government, Mr. Khan strongly condemned and rejected these steps, and expressed the resolve of the Government of Pakistan to fight the case of Jammu & Kashmir at all forums. He spoke at length about the targeted hatred and discrimination against Muslims in India by the Modi Government such as the Babri Mosque verdict, the discriminatory Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the controversial National Register of Citizens (NRC), and the lynching of Muslims by the cow vigilantes.
He also addressed various other aspects of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute including gross Human Rights Violations, Sexual abuse and violence against women and Children, Indian illegal actions of doing away with Articles 370 and 35-A of the constitution to bring demographic changes in the region, Hindutva ideology of the RSS inspired Modi Government, the implementation of the UNSC resolutions, and Pakistan’s desire to resolve all issues with India, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, through dialogue, in accordance with the UNSC resolutions.
The Webinar was attended by a large number of youth, scholars, and intellectuals. At the end of the Webinar, Mr. Khan responded to the various queries of the participants. (Release of Embassy of Pakistan in Jakarta)
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) presides over a cabinet meeting on the COVID-19 management at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday, June 29, 2020. ANTARA/Akbar Nugroho Gumay
During a casual meeting with journalists at the Merdeka Palace on Monday, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said he believed Indonesia would be able to produce a COVID-19 vaccine early next year.
He is positive about this as tests are being done in parallel with international pharmaceutical companies.
"We predict the [vaccine] will be produced between January-April next year," said the president on Monday.
Earlier reports said state-owned enterprises such as Bio Farma and Kalbe Farma had opened partnership with international pharmaceutical companies such China's Sinovac Biotech in producing a COVID-19 vaccine.
Jokowi said once the vaccine was produced it would be prioritized for healthcare workers and groups prone to the lethal effects of the virus. The government predicts the nation needs up to 347 million doses of the vaccine. (tempo.co)
President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has given instructions to his aides to conduct massive campaigning on health protocols to thwart the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
At a limited cabinet meeting held at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday, the head of state highlighted the significance of public discipline in applying health protocols to stop the transmission of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
"We have to conduct massive national campaigning on the importance of maintaining discipline in implementing health protocols, maintaining physical distancing, wearing masks, and washing hands," Jokowi remarked during the meeting on discussions over accelerating the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jokowi cited a survey in East Java that indicated 70 percent of the province’s residents did not wear masks during outdoor activities, thereby demonstrating low public participation in the endeavors to cut the chain of transmission of COVID-19.
The president has instructed his aides to intensify campaigning on the implementation of health protocols that also involved public figures, academicians, volunteers, the military, and police.
"This is the sort of mobilization that I am looking for, mobilization of the Indonesian Police, the military, civil organizations, volunteers, public figures, and academicians, all of which are directed to campaign and monitor the implementation," he affirmed.
As of Sunday (July 12), the number of COVID-19 patients in Indonesia had reached 75,699, with 35,638 recoveries and 3,606 deaths.
The virus has spread across the country’s provinces, with the highest number of cases recorded in East Java, reaching 16,658, followed by 14,517 in Jakarta, 6,973 in South Sulawesi, 5,473 in Central Java, 5,077 in West Java, 4,146 in South Kalimantan, 2,653 in South Sumatra, 2,323 in North Sumatra, 2,267 in Papua, 2,195 in Bali, 1,660 in North Sulawesi, 1,593 in Banten, 1,550 in West Nusa Tenggara, and 1,196 in Central Kalimantan. (tempo.co)