Tarawih prayers, bazaars are back, mosques, traders told to follow SOP

KUALA LUMPUR: After more than a year since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Malaysia, Ramadan will be once again celebrated joyously by Muslims in the country as the restrictions on movements have been relaxed this year.

Last year, due to the burgeoning infections of COVID-19, Muslims were forced to perform the tarawih congregational prayers with their own families at home but this year it would be allowed in mosques and surau following strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set to curb the COVID-19 outbreak.

Adding to the excitement is the opening of Ramadan and Aidilfitri bazaars, which were not permitted last year.

Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) director Datuk Mohd Ajib Ismail said each of the 790 mosques and surau in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, had set up a task force to supervise and enforce the SOPs set by JAWI and the National Security Council (MKN) to prevent the emergence of new clusters during the Ramadan month.

"Enforcers from PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police) and JAWI will also conduct regular monitoring on the mosques and surau, wherever they may be, to ensure that all SOPs are complied with," he told Bernama here today.

He said breaking of fast events would only be allowed among committee members and those who are on duty while moreh (feast after tarawih prayers) is banned, however, mosques and surau are allowed to provide packed food for its congregations to bring home after the tarawih prayers.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN state Mosque Grand Imam Dr Muhammad Yusry Mazlan reminded imams in the state to recite shorter Quran verses while performing the tarawih prayers as the country is still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Preparations are going well, all mosques have been briefed on the SOPs and I hope all congregations understand and adhere to it," he said.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Mufti Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamed urged Muslims in the state to take the opportunity to perform the tarawih prayers and participate in the activities to enliven the mosques and surau statewide throughout the holy month.

He also urged them to comply with the SOPs enforced in the mosques and surau to break the COVID-19 chain.

In KUALA LUMPUR Ramadan bazaar traders were seen putting the finishing touches before opening their business on the first day of Ramadan tomorrow.

Nor Hafizah Abdullah, 40, who will be selling drinks at the Taman Tasik Permaisuri Cheras Ramadan bazaar said most traders began putting up tents this evening.

Malaysian Federation of Malay Hawkers and Petty Traders Association of Malaysia (GPPPKMM) secretary-general Mohamed Zamri Mohamed said bazaar organisers were required to hire at least two members of the People's Volunteer Corps (RELA), depending on the size of the bazaar, to monitor compliance with the SOPs.

Members of the public were also seen making last-minute Ramadan shopping for groceries at the Chow Kit market.

Imported meat trader Mohd Hussein Hameed Ali, 42, said he managed to sell 500 kilogrammes of meat yesterday, more than he would sell on normal days.

In MELAKA, Ramadan bazaar manager at Melaka International Trade Center (MITC), Saiful Abu, 38, urged all traders to adhere to the set SOPs such as providing the QR code for the MySejahtera application.

Meanwhile, in ALOR SETAR, traders who were met by Bernama expressed their gratitude for being allowed to operate their business at the bazaars this year.

Norasyikin Ahmad, 36, and husband Rashid Bashir, 30 said they were happy that they could sell rice and other dishes at the Darul Aman Stadium Ramadan bazaar, while Yunus Hamid, 62, was grateful to be allowed to continue selling traditional cakes at the Pekan Rabu Complex, which he had been doing for the past 31 years.

Meanwhile, in PERAK, Muslims were seen buying dates at the Greentown Mall Ipoh and stocking up on food items at the Jelapang Ipoh market for sahur (pre-dawn meal) and breaking of fast.

-- BERNAMA