Eid al-Adha Strengthens Solidarity Amid Pandemic, President Jokowi Says

An online mass prayer during the eve of Eid al-Adha (Takbir Akbar), Monday (19/07). Photo by: YouTube channel of Presidential Secretariat.

This year’s Eid al-Adha celebrated amid COVID-19 pandemic is a momentum to strengthen human solidarity in tackling the pandemic, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“This is a momentum to strengthen solidarity among Muslims and to strengthen national and human solidarity in building optimism to rise together. We should continue our efforts and our prayers and strive together in observing health protocols: wearing a face mask, washing hands, maintaining a safe distance, doing self-isolation for those contracting the virus, and lending hands for others,” the President said in a live-streamed mass prayer during the eve of Eid al-Adha (Takbir Akbar), Monday (19/07).

According to the President, the modest Eid al-Adha celebration will not reduce the solemnity of expressing gratitude and praise to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala.

“Prophet Ibrahim has set an example for us, reminding us of the importance of faith, piety and sincerity to sacrifice without a doubt to carry out Allah’s commands. Amid the current pandemic, we need to be willing to sacrifice even more and to sacrifice our personal interests for the interests of our communities and others,” the President said, while inviting the public to pray to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to heal the sick and to give strength to those who are carrying out humanitarian tasks.

“May Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala bless us with forbearance and strength to face all the difficulties. May He bless our efforts so we can achieve victory against COVID-19 pandemic,” he remarked.

Eid al-Adha is a holiday celebrated by Muslims to honors the willingness of Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Abraham could sacrifice his son, however, God provided a lamb to sacrifice instead.

In commemoration of this intervention, animals are sacrificed ritually. One third of their meat is consumed by the family offering the sacrifice, while the rest is distributed to the poor and the needy.  (FID/UN) (RI/EP)