Ramadan: Saudi Arabia Maintains Group Prayer Suspension Over COVID-19
As COVID-19 continues to spread in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, prayers will continue to take place at home, not in mosques.
This will remain the case until the coronavirus pandemic ends worldwide.
Since 19 March, group prayers at mosques have been suspended in an attempt to contain the outbreak, a measure set to continue according to the minister, Abdul Lateef al-Sheikh.
According to Middle East Eye, Sheikh said the daily obligatory prayers observed by Muslims are more important than taraweeh prayers in Ramadan, adding that the instructions to stay home were in line with advice from the Health Ministry.
Sheikh told local media: “The suspension of performing the five daily prayers at mosques is more important than the suspension of taraweeh prayers. We ask Allah the Almighty to accept taraweeh prayers whether held at mosques, or homes, which we think is better for people’s health.”
The Saudi authorities, on Sunday, extended a curfew until further notice due to a surge in new infections.
The kingdom was originally placed under a 21-day curfew, from 7p.m. to 6a.m.
Last week Saudi Arabia put its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew, locking down much of the population. Since then, Saudi Arabia has reported more than 300 new cases per day. Residents are only permitted to leave for essential needs and violators face fines and jail time.
The Interior Ministry has also announced new permits for vital personnel to move around.
Saudi Arabia has recorded 4,934 infections with 65 deaths, the highest among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, where the total neared 14,100 with 96 deaths.
The Saudi government has warned as many as 200,000 cases could be recorded in the coming weeks.
Riyadh has halted international passenger flights, suspended the year-round Umrah pilgrimage, and closed most public places.
