Jakarta (ANTARA) - Istiqlal Mosque in Central Jakarta is ready to accommodate up to 250 thousand Muslims, who will throng the mosque for the Eid al-Fitr prayer on Saturday (April 22), according to its Grand Imam, Nasaruddin Umar.
"If needed, the Istiqlal Mosque can be prepared to accommodate 200 thousand people or, if the (outer) red-floored courtyard is opened, up to 250 thousand people," Umar noted, as per the statement here on Friday.
As the mosque is expected to be full of worshippers during Eid al-Fitr, visitors should maintain order while joining the congregation there, he emphasized.
Umar, who earlier served as deputy religious affairs minister, also remarked that Vice President Ma'ruf Amin as well as several ministers, high-ranking officials, and ambassadors will offer prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque.
"God Willing, visitors will throng the Istiqlal Mosque as the mosque reopens for its first public Eid al-Fitr prayer after the renovation is completed," Umar stated.
Istiqlal Mosque, being the largest in Indonesia and Southeast Asia, is operating with high service standards and emergency procedures, he affirmed.
"We even have a contingency protocol in case of electric supply disruption," the grand imam added.
Meanwhile, he urged visitors planning to attend the Eid al-Fitr prayer at the mosque to adhere to health protocols, including wearing masks, while joining the congregation.
"Masks are effective not only to prevent COVID-19 but also prevent other diseases," he remarked.
Umar said that Saturday's Eid al-Fitr prayer at Istiqlal Mosque will be led by the mosque's permanent Imam, Ahmad Muzakir, while the sermon after the prayer will be delivered by Jakarta's Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Rector Professor Saepudin Jahar.
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