JakartaPost-Mar 24, 2023
A presidential ban on iftar gatherings for civil servants during the holy month of Ramadan, on the pretext of preventing the spread of COVID-19 nearly three months after all pandemic curbs were lifted, has sparked backlash from several Islamist political parties. In a circular signed by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said COVID-19 in Indonesia was transitioning from a pandemic to an endemic, and caution was therefore needed to facilitate this. “The Home Affairs Minister is expected to forward this instruction to governors, regents and mayors,” said the circular dated March 21, a copy of which went viral on Thursday. The policy has drawn criticism from Islamic groups, which have accused the President of bias against the Muslim community. Some have pointed out that the pandemic curbs were gradually eased until they were fully lifted at the end of December, and that bans no longer applied to crowd-drawing events, such as concerts, exhibitions and even big weddings, including that of the President’s son. Meanwhile, the National Mandate Party (PAN) has defended the policy, saying it was not meant to discriminate against the Muslim community. In a futile attempt to defuse anger over the policy, the Health Ministry clarified that members of the public could still hold iftar gatherings during Ramadan or open houses during Idul Fitri, stressing that the ban only applied to government officials. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2019/05/21/break-the-fast-with-indonesian-food-at-these-three-restaurants.html.
