Heads of mosques in the country have been told to follow the Covid protocols issued by the Supreme Committee on Friday and to take part in the national campaign against the pandemic.
While Friday mass congregations from January 29 onwards stand suspended, the five-time obligatory prayers can be held with 50 per cent capacity within strict Covid precaution.
Speaking to the Observer, Abdulaziz al Ghafry, Assistant General Manager of Preaching and Guidance at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, said strict vigil on safety should be observed in accordance with the pandemic protocols.
“Strict observance of precautions against the pandemic should be maintained for all five times obligatory prayers, and any violations should be reported,” he said.
Accordingly, from the entry point, till people leave after the mass congregations, all five times of the day, volunteers should be vigilant and make sure individuals bring prayer mats and have made ablution at home. They should also make sure everyone wears masks properly, and no social convergence shall be allowed.
“Besides, each person entering the mosque should produce the vaccination certificate as well as carry individual prayer mats with them.
Soon after the pandemic’s spread, prayers at mosques and other prayer halls were suspended in March 2020. The restrictions were withdrawn with certain conditions on November 14, 2020, after eight months of closure.
Applicable from Sunday, mosques have been asked to open for 15 minutes from “call for prayers until the end of the prayer”.
HOLY QURAN CLASSES
Holy Quran schools with a high student density can be operated with an attendance system, either hybrid or partial offline.
Students can attend classes on alternate days in a week to reduce the students gathering.
RELIGIOUS EVENTS
The official further said religious events already fixed can be held with strict adherence to preventive measures during gatherings.
“In any case, the duration of the activity shall not exceed 45 minutes and entry is allowed for those who have received at least one dose of the vaccination and the number of participants should not exceed 50 per cent of the capacity.”
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