GEORGE TOWN – In a bid to help stave off a further spread of Covid-19 during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period, Penang is introducing staggered festive prayer sessions tomorrow with strict observance of hygiene and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The sessions will be held in a “rotational” manner, with intervals of 30 minutes between each session, to facilitate the process of sanitising of the mosque space and preparation of the next congregation.
In a statement today, the Penang Islamic Religious Affairs Department said that the Aidilfitri prayers will be held in three sessions starting at 8.30am, while being subject to certain conditions.
Each session is set for 45 minutes, and all parties – worshippers and mosque authorities – must comply with the SOPs in force during the movement control order (MCO).
“Attendance is according to the set sessions, which are from 8.30am to 9.15am, from 9.45am to 10.30am, and from 11am to 11.45am.
“The imam determined by the mosque or surau must also be a different imam for each prayer session,” the statement said.
“After the prayer session, the pilgrims must return immediately without any gatherings inside or outside the mosque”.
The decision on this system was made after taking into account the views of various parties, including Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Zakiyuddin Abd Rahman and state mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.
Earlier, a social media posting highlighting how such a rotating schedule of Friday prayers and Hari Raya prayers had been enforced in several foreign countries – including Singapore and the UK – went viral on social media.
The shared posting received reactions from various local parties who wanted the same thing to be implemented in the country.
Yesterday, the Penang government had announced that only 50 pilgrims would be allowed to perform the Aidilfitri prayers at mosques, while 20 pilgrims at surau following MCO 3.0 which is implemented from today until June 7. – The Vibes, May 12, 2021
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