JAKIM needs a little more time to refine SOP of congregation prayers - PM

The government through the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) is refining its standard operating procedure (SOP) for congregation prayers in suraus and mosques.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said after SOP is finalised, it will be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Malay Rulers as chairmen of Islam in the federation and the states to be consented.

After receiving the consent, he added, only then the Federal Government would announce it to Malaysians.

“I know many Muslims long to go to the mosque, especially to hold Friday prayers, terawih prayers and five-time-a-day congregation prayers. Insya-Allah, we pray things will get better, especially there are many green zones throughout the country.

“With the orderly implementation of the SOP, I believe the mosques are ready to be opened to the congregants. Please allow some time for the Islamic authorities to refine the relevant SOP,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government would also fine-tune the SOP for houses of worship for Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and others, and that the permission would be announced once it was finalised.