Thousands of sanitation workers have been deployed across Jakarta to clean mosques and musala (prayer rooms) ahead of the anticipated start of Ramadan, the Jakarta Environment Agency announced Tuesday.
The cleanup initiative, which began on Thursday, February 12th, involves personnel from the agency’s regional offices across all six administrative cities and regencies, as well as the Water Body Waste Management Unit and sub-district sanitation task forces. Teams are working in coordination with mosque management and local authorities to ensure places of worship are thoroughly cleaned and prepared for the holy month.
“We want the community to be able to worship in peace and comfort,” said Asep Kuswanto, Head of the Jakarta Environment Agency. “our personnel are on the ground cleaning both the interiors and exteriors of these houses of worship, as well as the surrounding environment.”
The comprehensive effort includes cleaning main prayer halls, ablution areas, courtyards and drainage systems. Workers are also handling electronic waste and bulky refuse during the cleanup, according to the agency.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is scheduled to hold an Isbat session today, February 17th, to officially determine the beginning of Ramadan 1447 Hijri. Astronomical calculations indicate the conjunction preceding Ramadan will occur at 7:01 PM Jakarta time, with the moon’s position varying across Indonesia. Indonesia is predicted to begin Ramadan on February 18th, according to reports.
Kuswanto added that the initiative aims to foster a sense of community and environmental responsibility. “Ramadan is a time to reinforce the values of togetherness and compassion. Hopefully, this activity inspires residents to take communal responsibility for the cleanliness of their respective neighborhoods,” he stated.
