Bangladesh
Sehri-Iftar Mosques barred from organizing Iftar and Sehri as Covid situation intensifies
Dhaka, April 6: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has banned the organization of Iftar and Sehri in mosques during the upcoming month of Ramadan amid the coronavirus pandemic. This was informed in an emergency press release of the Ministryon Monday.
It said that in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, it is necessary to follow the hygiene rules in the mosque and arrange for prayers in Jamaat. In the light of the instructions issued by the government, certain conditions must be met.
Soap-water with hand sanitizer or hand washing system should be kept at the entrance of the mosque and everyone must come to the mosque after wearing a mask.
Everyone should perform ablution from their home, perform sunnat prayers at home and go to the mosque and wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds while performing ablution.
Carpets cannot be laid in the mosque.
The entire mosque must be cleaned with disinfectant before the five daily prayers; Everyone has to bring their own Jainamaz.
Social distance must be ensured in standing for prayers in queue.
Children, the elderly and the sick will refrain from attending mosque.
Soap or hand sanitizer should be kept in the ablution room of the mosque to prevent infection.
Jainamaz and skull caps reserved in the mosque cannot be used.
To ensure public safety, the guidelines of the healthcare department, local administration and law enforcement agencies should be followed.
Iftar and Sehri cannot be organized in the mosque.
The ministry has asked the mosque's khatib, imam and mosque management committee to confirm the matter. If these instructions are violated, the local administration and law enforcement agencies will take legal action against those involved, the notification said.
