By Karen Bong
KUCHING, May 5: Hari Raya house visits are now only allowed from the first day to the third day of Syawal, instead of one week, in areas under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
The Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) has today amended the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration which falls on May 13 this year.
Other restrictions remained the same throughout the celebrations with house visits limited to close family members and without exceeding 50 per cent house capacity at any one time subjected to the size of the residence and adhering to physical distancing.
Open house, takbir from house to house, tahlik after Aidilfitri prayers at mosques or suraus and feasting after Idilfitri prayers in mosques or suraus are not allowed.
Graveyard visits are also discouraged due to the risk of exposure to infections given the Covid-19 situation in Sarawak currently.
If it is necessary to visit graveyards, the conditions are not more than five closest family members with visits not exceeding 20 minutes while observing physical distancing of at least one metre, wear face masks at all times and avoid greeting one another.
Takbir Hari Raya is allowed in mosques and surau which will begin after the Maghrib prayers at night on the first day and cannot go beyond 10pm, followed by the morning prayer for the first day until Sunat Idilfitri prayers.
Sunat Idilfitri prayers are allowed in mosques, surau, musolla and other premises that have obtained approvals from the SIC.
The number of congregations allowed is based on the capacity of the premises and in compliance with physical distancing of at least one metre.
All basic SOPs must be adhered including body temperature checks, check-in with MySejahtera apps or manual recording using book log, wearing of face masks at all times, bring own prayer mat, avoid crowding when entering and leaving premises and avoid physical greetings with one another.
People are also encouraged to perform prayers at home.
As for areas under Enhanced MCO (EMCO), all activities are not allowed while Sunat Idilfitri prayers can be performed at own homes with family members only and Fardhu and Friday prayers are subjected to restrictions issued by SIC. — DayakDaily
Click the images below to view the full list of SOPs.
