Efforts Must Be Also Accompanied with Prayers, President Jokowi Says

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 11 Juli 2021
Category: News
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President Jokowi during the virtual event of #PrayFromHome: From Home for Indonesia, Sunday (11/07). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, prayers to God the All-Merciful and All-Gracious are also needed besides concrete actions, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“In tackling this difficult situation, aside from many practical actions, we must also perform spiritual actions. Send prayers, beg for God’s help to ease our burden so that the people, the nation, and the country, as well as the world can soon be freed from the pandemic,” he said Sunday (11/07) during an online interreligious prayer event that adopted the theme of “#PrayFromHome: From Home for Indonesia”.

The Head of State underscored that the world, including Indonesia, is currently struggling to be free of the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that in tackling the pandemic, cooperation of all components of the nation is needed as the Government cannot work alone.

“Everyone must collaborate, cooperate, help each other, work together to overcome this very heavy test,” he remarked, while thanking all elements of the nation that are loyal in building optimism and the spirit of togetherness through many social volunteer and economic movements to ease the burden of the people.

The President also expressed gratitude that religious mass organizations share the same perspective to maintain the people’s obedience in observing health protocols.

“The Government’ hard work in tackling COVID-19 pandemic will not be successful without the support, awareness, and participation of the people,” he said.

On that occasion, on behalf of the Government and the nation, as well as on his own behalf, the President also expressed deep condolences to those who have passed in the pandemic and appealed everyone to pray for them and for all those with COVID-19 to recover soon.

“From our own home, let us bow down our head, observe a moment of silence, pray from home. Let us send prayers and take actions so that this pandemic will end soon,” he said.

Closing his remarks, the Head of State once again asked the people to convince their family and inner circles to carry out activities at home as an effort to curb COVID-19 transmission rate.

“Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic is our national endeavor today as the purpose is to save our lives and for our own good. May God protect Indonesia and make this country safe, advanced, and prosperous,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that the communal prayer event was held simultaneously and participated by all components of the nation, including leaders of state institutions, ministries of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet, ranks of the military and the police, regional heads, religious leaders, and other people.

The event, Yaqut stated, was a continuation of the Moment of Silence for Indonesia event that was carried out last Saturday (10/07) at 10:07 Western Indonesian Time.

“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to invite all elements of the people to always pray according to their own belief and faith so that God Almighty grants His grace, mercy, and protection to Indonesia and all humankind,” he said, adding that in religion, people are taught that prayers are believers’ weapon, soul tranquilizer, and starter of optimism in life.

Yaqut also urged the people to remain vigilant and take actions to take care of themselves, their family, and their environment by strictly observing health protocols and implement the regulations issued by the Government.

“Increase social philanthropy, the spirit of sharing, and willingness to sacrifice to help our brothers and sisters who are affected by COVID-19,” he said.

For the record, during #PrayFromHome: From Home for Indonesia event, prayers were recited by six religious leaders, namely Quraish Shihab (Muslim), Pastor Lipius Biniluk (Protestant), Cardinal Suharyo (Catholic), I Nengah Dana (Hindu), Bhante Sri Pannavaro Mahathera (Buddhist), and Xs. Budi Santoso Tanuwibowo (Confucian). (FID/UN) (DH/EP)

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