KANGAR, 8 May 2020:
Perlis has allowed mosque officials and committee members to perform Friday prayers at the mosque under strict standard operating procedures beginning May 15.
The strict guidelines that must be adhered to mean members of congregation – including imam and khatib – must not exceed 12 persons or fewer than three persons, with only mosque officials and committee members allowed to participate.
Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, who is also Perlis Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs) president, said in a statement the decision was made after obtaining the consent from the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail.
He said the permission could not be extended to the public yet due the threat of Covid-19 infections.
“The mosque cannot be reopened to the public except those authorised to perform Friday prayers (mosque officials and committee members) and measures such as screening of body temperature, applying hand sanitiser and to record the attendance will also be carried out.
Tuanku Syed Faizuddin said those present should also wear face masks and social distancing of at least two metres between individuals, including during prayers, must be maintained at all times.
The duration of prayers is also limited to 15 minutes and no physical contacts including handshakes are allowed, the individuals to perform ablution first before going to the mosque as well as to bring along their own prayer mat, apart from the prayer should be held at an open space in the mosque, if possible, he said.
Muslims in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla performed congregational Friday prayers for the first time today since they were prohibited from doing so from March 27 as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
Almost 400 Muslims in Chana town, Songkhla attended Friday prayers at the Nuruddin Chana mosque that took place for almost 20 minutes.
The mosque khatib Muhamad Husin said every member of the mosque congregation was required to wear face masks, have their body temperatures taken and made to use hand sanitisers before entering the mosque.
Those who recorded temperatures above 37.5 degrees Celcius were not allowed in.
“They were also required to perform their ablution at home and bring their own prayer mats, besides maintaining a distance of 1.5 to two metres from each other.”
On May 3, the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand, Aziz Phitakkumpon announced that Muslims in Songkhla are now allowed to perform Friday prayers.
The Islamic Religious Council had also notified that each province and their respective mosque Imams must obtain prior permission from their Governors before they can hold Friday prayers.
Congregational terawih prayers and breaking of fast ceremonies in mosques and surau, however, are still not permitted.
So far, the Friday prayer ban still applies to the other Muslim-majority provinces in Southern Thailand – Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat as the number of Covid-19 cases there remain high. All three provinces have been given another two weeks for observation.
To date, Thailand has recorded 3,000 infection cases and 55 deaths. In Yala, 122 cases have been reported followed by Pattani (79), Songkhla (44) and Narathiwat (25).
Thailand has extended its state of emergency until May 31 to further contain the spread of the pandemic.
– Bernama