Mosques ordered to close

[BBLUX]

This came up on Twitter today from Al Ahram:

"Egypt suspends mass prayers at mosques, shuts down churches to halt spread of coronavirus

Egypt closes Al-Sayeda Zeinab Mosque ahead of religious festival over coronavirus fears

Egypt’s Dar Al-Ifta, the central authority issuing religious rulings, has said that holding of daily prayers or Friday congregations at mosques despite a recently announced ban over coronavirus fears is religiously "forbidden".
Egypt on Saturday ordered mosques and churches to shut to worshippers in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus, joining other countries who have taken the same step.

Insistence on holding Friday and mass prayers in mosques, under the pretext of practicing rituals and preserving obligatory [duties], despite authorities banning them, is prohibited," Dar Al-Ifta said in a statement on Sunday.

The religious institution said that "preserving lives" is a main aspect of Islam while calling on the faithful to comply with preventatives measures taken by the government.

Egypt has reported 294 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 10 deaths.

Egypt had earlier imposed restrictions on the time allocated for prayers and sermons, and religious authorities, including the top authority of Al-Azhar said Muslims are "permitted" to pray at home to minimize the risk of virus transmission. But last Friday, believers crowded mosques during the weekly prayers.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s Ministry of Endowments said a special 'azan', call to Islamic prayer, would be broadcast on radio and TV starting Sunday noon.

The move to change to the "cataclysm azan" is aimed to "deliver an awareness message that we are in an emergency and exceptional situation that requires all of us to take the utmost care and caution in preventive and precautionary" measures, the ministry said.

Islamic scholars say the special azan was used during the time of natural disasters, pandemics, or at risk occasions at earlier times in the history of Islam when people were demanded to perform prayers at home.

The Friday prayer is a congregational prayer that must be held and attended at mosques every Friday at noon. In Islam, group prayers are considered preferable to praying by oneself.

All the customary five daily prayers in Islam are also held as congregational prayers at mosques across the country, but it is not an obligation.

Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church, to which the majority of Egypt's Christians belong, on Saturday shut all its churches and suspended masses for two weeks over coronavirus concerns. The church also closed condolences halls attached to churches and halted visits to monasteries.

The Coptic Catholic Church took the same measures."



I would be very interested to know if the Luxor mosques are actually adhering to this order. However, do not put yourself at risk trying to find out.

[hatusu]

My husband' s mosque has requested members pray at home. Dont know about the others.

[carrie]

Many mosques are advising that Friday prayers should be carried on at home. The big concern now seems to be Ramadan where families get together to break the fast.

[BBLUX]

Thanks hatusu and carrie. Do really look after yourselves. I don't know how it is being perceived in Luxor but this is potentially a very dangerous situation.

[hatusu]

Unfortunately the mosques apparently havent issued any advice about funerals! He's just off to one now but has promised to stay in the car.