While congregational prayers are still suspended in the capital due to the measures imposed following the Covid-19 pandemic, mosques in the city have been permitted to reopen.
The Islamic Ministry via a statement said that the decision was reached following the various lockdown eases to be implemented from Monday based on the country’s current situation, as well as with the approval of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Covid-19 Technical Advisory Group as well as religious scholars.
However, mosques will only be allowed to reopen under the condition that congregational prayers are not held.
While a number of eases are to be implemented from Monday, during the second phase of lockdown ease plan, mosques have been permitted to reopen from Maghrib prayer on Sunday.
Those who wish to pray at mosques are to follow safety measures, and the Malé City Council is to monitor if the measures are being followed. The council is to monitor;
- If the carpets have been removed from mosques,
- If the mosques are being cleaned and disinfected before each prayer,
- If handwashing arrangements have been made, and
- That air conditioning systems are not used.
Those that wish to pray at mosques are to follow these procedures;
- Perform ablution of ‘Wudu’ at home,
- Bring own prayer mats to mosques,
- Follow social distancing rules while entering and exiting mosques,
- Refrain from sharing mats and ensure social distancing while praying,
- Refrain from going to mosques in case of flu or fever,
- Refrain from spending time at mosques after prayers,
- Refrain from shaking hands while inside mosques, or outside,
- Refrain from using the Quran at the mosques, and
- Older persons and those with underlying conditions are advised against going to mosques.
While congregational prayers were suspended on March 18 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in all inhabited islands, authorities decided to allow prayer gatherings in islands with no Covid-19 restrictions in late May.
