Masjids & Suraus In Green Zones Open For Congregational Prayers

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Malaysia is allowing masjids and suraus to reopen to the public.

The National Fatwa Committee is permitting communal and congregational prayers to be performed at selected mosques and suraus in Covid-19 green zones across the country.

Starting May 15, Muslims in Malaysia will be allowed to perform their obligatory daily prayers, weekly Friday prayers, Ramadan taraweeh prayers and the upcoming Aidilfitri prayers together in communion, during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period.

The announcement was made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri explaining that the reopening is to be done in stages and must abide by specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), as follow;

• Congregational prayers must be conducted with a crowd of no less than 3 people (including the Imam).

• Congregation must not exceed 30 people or the maximum amount allowed by state religious officials.

• The public can only attend congregations in their own state and are strictly forbidden from interstate travel.

• The congregation must practice social distancing, keeping 1 meter apart from each other at all times, even during prayers, and worshipers are required to wear face masks.

• Those with chronic illnesses, senior citizens above 70 and children below 15 are strictly not allowed to attend communal worship activities.

• Those attending the congregation must perform their Wudhu or ritual washing at home.

• The congregation must disperse immediately after prayer activities have been concluded and are not allowed to gather or linger inside or around mosque/surau premises.

• The congregation must enter and exit the place of worship in an orderly fashion; maintain social distancing practices

Notably, Perlis, Johor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan, the Federal Territories, and soon Terengganu, have allowed congregational prayer activities to be conducted during the CMCO.

However, Selangor still maintains its ban on congregational prayer and is only allowing Friday prayers to be performed by mosque committee members.

The Religious Affairs minister adds that each state has the autonomy to determine its own rules, and the public must also refer to guidelines made by their respective state religious departments that should be made available online.

Previously, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had announced that the government would be providing guidelines for Malaysian Muslims and non-Muslims to return to their respective houses of worship following the nationwide lockdown.

As of the moment, TRP has yet to find any specific SOPs for non-Muslim worshipers and religious activities, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted when we do.

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