GEORGE TOWN – Penang has allowed obligatory congregational and Friday prayers to be held effective today, with the number of congregants permitted based on the size of the mosque or surau involved.
Penang Islamic Religious Council (MAINPP) president Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said this is among the latest standard operating procedures for mosques and surau in the state during the movement control order (MCO).
“Obligatory prayers at mosques or surau are allowed to be held (with congregation numbers) according to mosque size. For Friday prayers, there must be at least 40 people, but congregants are limited to those from the kariah (vicinity) of the mosque and must be locals or permanent residents aged 12 to 70.
“Prayer spaces for travelling Muslims and taxi and e-hailing drivers are also provided at mosques or surau,” he said in a statement today.
He said the call for prayer (azan), which was previously replaced with “sollu fi buyutikum” (pray in your house), will be broadcast as normal.
Zakiyuddin, who is also state deputy chief minister I, said that for funeral prayers, only 30 people consisting of family members and those managing the rites are allowed to be present at designated areas.
However, visiting graves after burials is not allowed.
Zakiyuddin said religious talks, as well as recitations of surah yasin and tahlil, are only allowed between Maghrib and Isyak prayers, while preachers from outside Penang are not allowed to give lectures at mosques and surau in the state.
“For Friday sermons, only khatib appointed by MAINPP are allowed and they must only read the sermon issued by the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department.
“The sermon must be delivered within 10 minutes,” he added.
Penang previously suspended several activities at mosques and surau following the implementation of the MCO.
However, beginning last week, obligatory prayers at all mosques and surau in the state are with a maximum of 15 people, while Friday prayers are can be performed with 12 to 45 people, including committee members of the respective mosques and surau. – Bernama, February 9, 2021
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