Pariaman (ANTARA) - Residents of Kota Pariaman, W Sumatra this year negate the Tabuik or cultural attraction which is usually held on the 1st to 10th of Muharram because it was feared to be the source of the spread of COVID-19 in the area.

"We held a meeting with 'Kerapatan Adat Nagari' (KAN) V Koto Air Pampan about Tabuik this year and we agreed that Tabuik this year be postponed to next year," said chief of  KAN Pasa Pariaman Firman Zuhri Darab in Pariaman, on Thursday.

He added that the delay was because the pandemic situation so that this event which usually attracts thousands of tourists this year was canceled.

"Religion teaches that if there are more disadvantages, then the activity should be postponed," he said.

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Usually in the Tabuik cultural festival in Pariaman a number of activities are held starting on 1st to 10th Muharram with the top agenda is throwing Tabuik into the sea. During that time there are a number of activities that attract tourist visits.

While the Mayor of Pariaman, Genius Umar said that his party supports the second step of the KAN which has delayed this event because they understood the current conditions.

"We on behalf of the government welcomed the decision of community leaders because they saw the condition of the COVID-19 pandemic that was still not conducive," he added.

He mentioned that although Pariaman was in the green zone, if this event was forced it would be feared that COVID-19 would spread.

"Don't let Pariaman becomes a new source of COVID-19," he said.

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To replace the Tabuik event, the Pariaman Government will hold a discussion forum to evaluate and finalize the Tabuik preparations in Pariaman in 2021.

With the discussion forum and the COVID-19 pandemic over, he continued, the Tabuik in 2021 will become more festive than the previous year.

Transleted by: Mutiara Ramadhani

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