Selangor Journal
The entrance into the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque remains closed from the public during the ongoing conditional movement control order (CMCO), on May 15, 2020. — Picture by ASRI SAPFIE/SELANGORKINI

Selangor Ruler: Restrictions on Friday prayers extended until June 30

By Ida Nadirah Ibrahim

SHAH ALAM, June 1 — The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has decreed that the restrictions on Friday prayers at mosques and suraus in the state is extended until June 30 to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Private secretary to the Sultan, Datuk Mohamad Munir Bani in a statement today, however, said the situation will be reviewed after the first week of June and a new directive will be issued if the Covid-19 outbreak in the state improves further.

“If the infection consistently drops, the number of people joining the Friday prayers can be increased and more mosques can be opened sooner in stages, especially the ones in the green zone.

“The decision to extend the restrictions was made based on the advice of the Selangor Mufti,” the statement read.

Currently, under the ongoing conditional movement control order (CMCO), the standard operating procedure (SOP) for Friday prayers at the mosques in Selangor states no more than 12 people, including the mosque’s officials, committee members, bilal, imam and custodian, are permitted to join the congregational prayers.

Only 39 mosques in the state are allowed to conduct prayers under strict conditions.

“The restrictions imposed on the daily and Friday prayers at mosques and suraus was not an easy one to be made. The Selangor Ruler understands the concerns of the people for not being able to perform their religious duties at the mosques for the past 12 weeks.

“However, the decision had to be made to ensure that the Covid-19 infection can be contained,” said Mohamad Munir.

He added that Sultan Sharafuddin had also urged the people to continue observing social distancing, wearing the face masks and adhere to the directives and guidelines that have been issued by the Health Ministry as well as the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (Jais).

On May 14, the Federal government had announced that selected mosques and suraus across the Federal Territories can resume daily and Friday prayers under strict conditions, which include no more than 30 people in attendance.

Following the announcement, Selangor had followed suit in stages, where nine distinct mosques and five royal mosques were allowed to perform the Friday prayers beginning May 15, and the remaining 24 mosques in the state were permitted to do so beginning May 22.

Previously, the Selangor Ruler had decreed the suspension of Friday prayers in all mosques and suraus in the state was to be extended until May 31.

The suspension also includes gatherings, talks and activities in all mosques, suraus and prayer venues.

Top Picks

Sultan Sharafuddin launches Selangor-Gaza Ehsan Development Fund

Banting man arrested for setting off firecrackers on road

Pandamaran rep distributes over RM30,000 to mosques, suraus for Ramadan activities