SEBERANG JAYA – A 22-second video making its rounds on social media since this morning has caused a stir, revealing a large crowd that had gathered outside a mosque near a low-cost housing area in Taman Pelangi, Juru.
The crowd, believed to be mostly migrant workers, had been congregating at the parking lot since 8.30am for Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers.
A viral video shows a crowd of hundreds gathering for Hari Raya Aidiladha prayers in Penang. pic.twitter.com/amKLGOnsUZ
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) July 20, 2021
During a press conference in George Town today, Penang’s top cop Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain clarified that the mosque’s management did not violate any standard operating procedures (SOPs).
“However, before the prayers started at 8.30am, a crowd was already seen coming to the mosque.
“The management then closed their gate to prevent more people from entering the vicinity. However, as the mosque respected the importance of prayer, they did not dismiss them,” he said.
Those that were unable to enter the mosque, Shuhaily said, decided to pray on the roadside instead.
He pointed out that the mosque management opted not to contact police due to religious sensitivities and because it happened spontaneously.
“This does not mean we will not investigate what happened today. We will check if any group of people devised a plan to gather like this in the morning,” he said.
There are approximately 8,000 residents living in the 23 blocks of flats in Taman Pelangi with roughly 70% consisting of migrants working in nearby factories.
Shuhaily also apologised on behalf of the state police force for not detecting the incident earlier.
He pledged to ensure that police will make their rounds at all 180 mosques and 57 surau in the state to ensure all SOPs are adhered to.
“In the course of our investigations, we will track down those who participated in the prayers and fine those who were part of the gathering this morning. Our presence at the vicinity will be to find who has violated SOPs.
If one witnesses a gathering, there is no need to post a video to make it viral, just contact us directly at 04-222-1722.
“We are trying to fight the spread of Covid-19, so please, follow the rules,” he added.
According to sources, the management of the mosque where the incident took place, Masjid Qaryah Taman Pelangi, had apparently failed to notify police of the crowd that gathered within its vicinity.
Although Penang is currently under Phase Two of the National Recovery Plan, the state has to observe a limited number of congregants allowed inside mosques or surau.
Only a maximum of 150 people are allowed inside the mosque and 50 people inside the surau at any one time.
The management of each Islamic place of worship are required to check congregants’ body temperatures, provide hand sanitisers, and record congregant details, apart from regularly sanitising prayer rooms and the surrounding areas, including restrooms and ablution areas. – The Vibes, July 20, 2021
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