The first Friday prayers of the holy month of Ramadan was held exclusively at Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab Mosque Friday in the presence of only 40 worshippers, including the imam and the mosque's employees.
While the sermon was given the participating worshippers kept the designated physical distance from one another. They wore face masks and gloves as well as part of the preventive and precautionary measures in the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) spread across the world.
The Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic Affairs had announced that mosques will remain closed for congregational prayers throughout the crisis until the health and safety of the worshippers and public is guaranteed in co-operation with the competent departments.
However, the call of prayers will go on as people are encouraged to pray at home their daily five ritual prayers and gatherings are strictly forbidden for the people’s safety and wellbeing until the situation is safe for this. In the meantime, the ministry added that taraweeh prayers (night prayers performed during Ramadan) will be broadcast to the public on television and radio channels, with the assurance that it is not permissible to perform prayer by listening to radio, television and other means of communication. Such prayers will be performed exclusively at Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab Mosque in the presence of the imam and four of the mosque's employees, taking into account the health precautions directed by the Ministry of Public Health.
Such unprecedented procedures, which have never been seen by many generations living now, are meant for the protection of the people and to safeguard the public health, avoiding the potential risk factors imposed by Covid-19.
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