Friday, obligatory prayers allowed in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya with limited worshippers

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has decided to allow Friday and obligatory prayers in mosques and surau in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, which are now under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), but with limited number of worshippers.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said for Selangor, it depends on the consideration of the state’s religious authorities.

He said the decision was made at the National Security Council meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday.

"For Friday prayers in mosques and surau in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya, the number of worshippers is set not to exceed 50 people subject to the size of the prayer halls with one-metre physical distancing.

"Meanwhile, for obligatory prayers, not more than 20 worshippers are allowed, also subject to the size of the prayer halls with one-metre physical distancing," he said in a statement.

Zulkifli said the worshippers would be determined by the respective mosque and surau committee through invitation or other methods deemed appropriate.

He also hoped that the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) could ensure that all standard operating procedures (SOP) would be complied with by the worshippers.

On Tuesday, the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) announced that the congregational prayers and mosque activities in state has been temporarily halted from Oct 14 to 27 due to the CMCO.

-- BERNAMA