Mosques in Dubai and Mosques in United Arab Emirates (UAE) will reopen with 30 per cent capacity and adhere to a strict COVID-19 protocol.
Making the announcement during a media briefing held by the UAE Government to outline the latest developments with regard to countering the coronavirus pandemic, Dr Saif Al Dhaheri, Spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), said that mosques will reopen for worshipers 30 minutes before the Friday prayer and will close 30 minutes later.
Mosques in Dubai
The great architectural beauty of mosques in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE has made these sites of interest for tourists. However, understanding that mosques are centres of worship, and the covid protocol will not all allow access to tourists or non-Muslim people.
More COVID-19 tests conducted
Speaking during the briefing was Dr Omar Al Hammadi, Official Spokesperson of the UAE Government. Al Hammadi revealed that a total of 791,519 COVID-19 tests were conducted nationwide from November 18-24, with the number of confirmed cases increased by 2 per cent reaching 8,556.
Mosques in the UAE will be able to reopen so long as they adhere to the UAE Covid-19 protocols. The Friday sermon should not exceed 10 minutes, the mosque should only allow 30% capacity of worshippers and all worshipers must wear face masks and bring their own prayer rugs, which must not be left inside the mosques or shared with other.
Ablution facilities will remain closed
Ablution must be performed at home and senior citizens, children and those with chronic diseases or respiratory diseases and those suffering from weak immunity should perform prayers at home. The ablution and toilet facilities will remain closed.
The ban on distributing food and water will remain in place, adding that mosques and churches in industrial areas will also continue to be closed.
Procedures for mosques to be eligible to receive worshipers include reducing capacity by 30 per cent, allowing prayers in the outer courtyards and broadcasting the prayer over the loudspeaker, the safe distance of two meters maintained between worshippers and entry and exit movements regulated.
…………………………………………………..
