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ACTNews, JAKARTA – Before the Friday prayer at Al Jihad Mosque, Johar Baru,
Central Jakarta on Friday (11/6), it was already crowded at the mosque’s
courtyard. Some of the worshippers had filled the main prayer room although it
was still an hour away from zuhr time.
Many were still busy with their activities in the mosque’s courtyard. Located
in a dense neighborhood, the mosque’s front yard is often bustling with many
activities.
Al Jihad Mosque is
located not far from Gang Sentiong Train Station and a dense neighborhood on
the bank of a river. Every time it rains, the residents have to deal with
flooding. The density of the neighborhood also makes it prone to fire disaster.
"There was a severe flood earlier this year because this neighborhood is
situated on a river bank, ”said Ade Firmansyah, a member of Al Jihad Mosque
board.
The residents
living near Al-Jihad Mosque mostly live in poverty. They have also been
financially affected by the pandemic. Many of them who work as peddlers have
had their income decreased due to the Large-Scale Social Restrictions. Similar
problem also faced by those who work as motorcycle taxi drivers and
freelancers. Since the pandemic, the economic condition of the residents around
the mosque has deteriorated.
Strengthening the spirit of almsgiving
That Friday (11/6),
Aksi Cepat Tanggap (ACT) came to Al Jihad Mosque to launch the Food Alms
Gathering Point. After the Friday prayer, many of the locals immediately went
to the food shelves to take the foodstuffs they needed. They positively
welcomed this initiative.
Ade added that,
since the pandemic, the locals haven’t been able to make ends meet. However, through
the presence of the Food Alms Gathering Point at Al Jihad Mosque, the mosque
also invited residents to continue to give alms even in difficulties. "Basically,
almsgiving will bring more blessings,” said Ade.
Anyone can fill
the Food Alms Gathering Point at Al Jihad Mosque with basic foodstuffs. Anyone
can also take whatever they need from the Food Alms Shelves. Ade hoped that
this medium of kindness can turn Al Jihad Mosque not only as a place of
worship, but also a place of revival for the locals. []
