Dream - Since this morning, news has circulated on social media that the Istiqlal Mosque has been locked, so that some of the congregants participating in the 212th volume II action cannot perform the Fajr prayer.

However, the Public Relations Officer of the Istiqlal Mosque Management Agency (BPPMI), Abu Hurairah, denied the rumors. He stated that the news was a hoax.

"BPPMI states that the negative news that has been spread on social media regarding this (the Istiqlal Mosque is locked), is not in accordance with reality and tends to contain provocations," said Abu Hurairah at the Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 21 2017.

Abu said the congregational Fajr prayer was still held at the Istiqlal Mosque this morning. He noted, there were about 240 people who performed the Fajr prayer in congregation. "There are 170 men and 70 women," he said.

Regarding the closure of mosques, Abu explained that the regulation has been implemented since 2002. Outside of Ramadan, the Istiqlal Mosque will be closed after Isha prayers until Fajr.

"Since 2002, BPPMI has enforced rules to close gates every night at 21.30 WIB and reopen them in the morning at 03.40 WIB before the Fajr prayer is held," he said.

Abu added that there were indeed a number of worshipers who came and stayed at the Istiqlal Mosque. They arrived from East Java using five buses.

However, he said, BPPMI stated that it had not received any notification regarding the planned stay. So, permission to stay overnight was not given to the group last night.

Abu admitted that the Istiqlal Mosque did allow the congregants of Action 411, 212 volume I and 112 to stay overnight. However, the action coordinator was asked to provide written information beforehand.

"The security of the Istiqlal Mosque has explained to the congregation gathered in the courtyard of the Istiqlal Mosque about the procedure and they understand and are willing to leave the Istiqlal Mosque area," he said.

Abu asked Muslims not to be influenced by the dubious and irresponsible news.

The news that circulated was in the form of a photo showing the masses with a skullcap. They were in front of the gates of the Istiqlal Mosque at night. The news said the congregation was not allowed to perform the Fajr prayer at the Istiqlal Mosque.

The news went viral on Twitter with the hashtag Istiqlal Padlocked. A number of photos show a number of people praying in congregation on the side of the road.