By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, May 28: Sarawak will only allow five congregants to perform obligatory prayers (solat lima waktu) at mosques and suraus throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO) period beginning tomorrow (May 29).
Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) said the congregants, comprising personnel and committee members of the mosque or surau, are allowed to be present to perform the prayers in the place of worship by practising a one-metre physical distancing.
“For Friday prayers, the number of congregants will be limited to 15 comprising personnel and committee members of the mosque or surau. They are allowed to be present at the place of worship with compliance to one metre physical distancing,” it said in a statement today.
Religious activities such as talks, lectures, classes and so on are temporarily postponed until further notice, while live streaming are prohibited in mosques and suraus.
For funeral service involving death that is not due to Covid-19 held at mosques or surau, it will be limited to only 10 family members, while the presence of those handling funeral service (morticians) are allowed in appropriate number.
For burial management involving Covid-19 deaths, it would be limited to only 10 family members and cemetery personnel.
At the same time, the mosque committees are also called to ensure that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) are complied with. These include wearing of face masks, checking temperature of visitors, scanning MySejahtera QR code or registering through visitors’ logbook, bringing own ‘sejadah’ (prayer mat), taking ‘wudhu’ (ablution) at own home as well as no handshakes.
“The opening period of the mosque or surau is 30 minutes before the Azan and they must be closed immediately after prayers by the imam (except between Maghrib to Isyak prayers).
“The mosque or surau must be closed for all activities beginning 9pm daily,” the statement added. — DayakDaily
