Friday prayers are to resume in congregation, from July 10 onward.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs announced the decision to allow congregational prayers in the Maldives capital, Greater Malé Region from Maghrib prayer on July 1.

The ministry revealed that similarly, Friday prayers will begin from July 10 onward, across all mosques in the capital region.

This will be the first Friday prayer observed in congregation, after the lockdown was declared across the Greater Malé Region on April 15.

The suspension of congregational prayers was imposed on March 18 and it was extended and set to end on June 11, following the extension of the State of Public Health Emergency declared across the nation on March 12, several times.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) initiated the third phase of the lockdown ease plan across the region on July 1, under which mosques were opened for prayers in congregation.

As such, the ministry has provided guidelines relevant to the measures to be enforced in mosques, having released a circular which notes instructions and guidelines to be followed by the city council as well as worshippers in visiting mosques.

The city council is required to pay heed to disinfecting and cleaning the mosques, establish hand-washing facilities as well as installing carpets where they have been removed in mosques. Further, the city council is to ensure the air conditioners at mosques are turned off unless completely necessary. Worshippers are required to bring their own prayer mats and wear face masks at all times.

Those who are at high-risk of the global Covid-19 pandemic as well as those who exhibit symptoms of the deadly virus are urged not to visit mosques for prayers in congregation.

The ministry has urged worshippers to make ablutions or “Wudu” from home and ensure social distancing.