The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has announced that there will be no congregational prayer in capital Male' City during Eid-al-Adha this year.

Media official at the ministry confirmed this to RaajjeMV, adding that the decision was made in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs affirms that it is necessary to take this step in order to overcome the situation and make sure that all citizens are safe.             

Noting that this is just for the capital city, the official said that islands that are not under coronavirus monitoring can hold the congregational prayer if they wished to.

However, mosques in the capital are open for prayer as long as social distancing is practiced, as per the eases to Covid-19 restrictions announced last week.

Before the pandemic, it was a tradition to hold mass Eid prayers in the capital and islands across the country. Following the pandemic, there were no congregational Eid prayers last year as well.

While Maldives has confirmed a total of 75,332 coronavirus cases since March 2020, there are currently 2,537 active cases. Daily cases reported from the capital are at an all time low right now.