Several states allowed Friday prayers to be held today

After more than two months of being unable to perform Friday prayers at mosques following the outbreak of the COVID-19, Muslims in several states have been allowed to conduct the congregational prayers beginning today.

However, for the initial phase, only selected number of individuals are allowed to perform the Friday prayers and other congregational prayers at the mosques and suraus in their respective areas.

For the time being, mosques and suraus will remain shut to the public.

Yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said mosques and selected suraus in the COVID-19 green zones in the Federal Territories would be allowed to hold Friday prayers and other congregational prayers, namely, Tarawih and Aidilfitri prayers, in stages, beginning today, and limited to between three and 30 people, excluding the imam.

Perlis has also allowed the Friday prayers to be held at mosques across the state beginning today, but only limited to members of the mosque committee while in Selangor, Perak and Johor, allowing the number of the congregation to not exceed 12 people, including imam and mosque committee members.

In Negeri Sembilan, only selected mosques and suraus are allowed to hold the Friday prayers, beginning today, and will be limited to between four and 12 people comprising mosque committee members.

Meanwhile, the Melaka government has decided to allow the Friday prayers and other congregational prayers to be held from May 29 onwards with a congregation of 40 people.

Since the implementation of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) on May 4, Malaysia has continued to record two-digit new COVID-19 cases with the lowest daily number in two months were reported on May 12 at 16.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Malaysia currently stood at 6,819 cases with 112 deaths.

- BERNAMA