On Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 10:07 a.m. local time, let us hold a moment of silence for 60 seconds. Stop all activities for a while and offer the best prayers for the health workers, volunteers, public, and those who have proceeded us.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas appealed to all members of the public to hold a moment of silence and offer prayers for those having succumbed to COVID-19.

“On Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 10:07 a.m. local time, let us hold a moment of silence for 60 seconds. Stop all activities for a while and offer the best prayers for the health workers, volunteers, public, and those who have proceeded us,” Qoumas stated in a press release, received here on Friday.

A moment of silence is a form of respect shown to those that passed away. The moment of silence in Indonesia is expected to raise awareness on the importance of sound health, so it has to be well-maintained, according to the minister.

Qoumas also expressed hope that the simultaneous moment of silence would bolster mutual solidarity to work in synergy and hand-in-hand in facing the pandemic.

“Let us all people of Indonesia hold a moment of silence and pray for the pandemic to end soon. Let us always #PrayFromHome while we Work From Home,” he remarked.

The minister had earlier appealed to the people to conduct worship activities in their homes in a bid to stem the spike in COVID-19 transmission.

“The number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to rise daily. Temporarily, let us reduce mobility and be patient to stay at home. We worship at home for a while,” he noted.

Worship houses in the emergency public activity restrictions (PPKM) zones as well as red and orange zones outside those PPKM zones are temporarily closed, and crowd-drawing activities have been suspended.

Especially for Muslims, despite the mosque or musala (small mosque) being temporarily closed, the management or mosque prosperity council (DKM) is still allowed to perform azan, or the Islamic call to pray.

“Only public worship in emergency PPKM zones as well as red and orange zones outside the emergency PPKM are performed in their respective homes,” he stated. Related news: Friday prayers banned in Jakarta's red zones
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Juwita TR
Editor: Suharto
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