The Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) could be promoted to wider audiences by allowing it to host the congregational Eid al-Fitr prayer at the conclusion of the Ramadan fasting period, the Jakarta Deputy Governor has said.
“The stadium is huge and strategic, and (by hosting the Eid prayer at the stadium) we could express our thankfulness for the completion of the stadium that we are proud of. We could also promote the stadium (through the congregation),” Ahmad Riza Patria said at the Jakarta Legislature Building here on Tuesday.
The deputy governor urged residents to promote the newest stadium in North Jakarta, which has been developed according to international standards.
“Let us keep, maintain, and use the stadium properly for the interest of the general public,” he remarked.
He also invited Jakartans to throng Jakarta International Stadium for the congregational Eid al-Fitr prayer.
“God Willing, we will open the stadium to host the Eid prayer. I invite Jakartans to join the Eid prayer at JIS,” Patria said.
Despite confirming the stadium will be opened for the Eid al-Fitr prayer, the deputy governor is yet to confirm whether the main stadium field will be opened for the prayer or whether the prayer will be conducted in the stadium’s outer courtyard.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Mental and Spiritual Education Bureau head Gunas Mahdianto said that Jakarta International Stadium will also host an Eid celebration festival the night before the Eid prayer.
The Eid prayer and the celebration festival will be part of the Jakarta government’s agenda to welcome Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, he said.
Earlier, Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said that the stadium could encourage the people’s economy in northern Jakarta since infrastructure development was not only conducted at the stadium but also across the region.
“We hope the stadium would become a driving force to advance the economy sector,” the governor remarked through his YouTube channel here on Monday (March 28, 2022).
Source: Antara News