Humaniora highlights: Giant flag parade to mass prayer at Istiqlal
A number of interesting human interest stories occurred on Sunday (9/8) and can be reviewed this morning to start the week.
The news begins with the details of the Merah Putih flag parade in Bogor and the national grand zikir held at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta.
- Thousands of Bogor residents parade a 500-metre Merah Putih flag
Thousands of residents took part in a parade of a giant Merah Putih flag measuring 500 metres in length as part of the 11th Merah Putih Festival (FMP) in Bogor City, West Java, on Sunday.
Bogor Mayor Dedie A. Rachim said the parade, with a total flag length reaching 500 metres, is what sets this year’s FMP apart from previous editions.
“This 11th FMP is special because there are five flag sections, each 100 metres long. The organising committee alone numbers around 3,200 people, not counting the residents who poured into the streets to take part,” he said.
- Bogor Regent retrieves the 1948 heirloom flag from a historic pavilion
Bogor Regent Rudy Susmanto retrieved the 1948 heirloom flag from a historic pavilion in Malasari Village, Nanggung, Bogor Regency, West Java, on Sunday.
The flag was the first flag sent by the Central Government of the Republic of Indonesia to the Bogor Regency Government in 1948, when the region was in the midst of the physical revolution.
“In this very historic moment for Bogor Regency, we stand together in a place that is highly honoured and sacred for the establishment of Bogor Regency, for the struggle of the Indonesian nation,” he said.
- Basarnas ends monitoring of KMP Mutiara Sentosa II
The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) has ended active monitoring of the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II after four days of sweeping and surveillance in the waters north of Madura Island, East Java.
Head of the Surabaya Class A SAR Office Nanang Sigit PH said the decision was taken on the seventh day after the fire incident on the KMP Mutiara Sentosa II because no indication was found of the vessel or any victims who might still be missing.
“With no signs of victims who might still be missing, we are ending the active monitoring activities,” said Nanang.
- Coordinating Minister for Food asks for prayers so that all government programmes run optimally
Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan asked for prayers and support from the public, especially from members of Jatma Aswaja, so that the government can improve a number of programmes that have not yet run optimally in order to benefit the community.
“Please pray that what has not yet succeeded we will improve, work hard, so that these programmes truly become a benefit for the people,” said Zulkifli Hasan during the national salvation prayer, national zikir, and haul of the founders of the Republic of Indonesia initiated by the Central Board of Jam’iyyah Ahlith Thariqah Al Mutabaroh Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah (PB Jatma Aswaja) at Istiqlal Mosque.
- Minister of Religious Affairs invites the faithful to pray for the safety of the nation and state
Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar invited the faithful to always pray for the safety of the nation and state, especially amid global uncertainty, during the “National Zikir” event of Jam’iyyah Ahlith Thariqah Al Mutabaroh Ahlussunnah Wal Jamaah (Jatma Aswaja).
“To always and continuously offer prayers for the safety of the nation, as we do every year in this mosque, to pray for our nation and state. Especially at a time like now, we greatly need congregational prayer for the safety of our nation,” he said.