The Islamic Ministry says Congregational Friday Prayers would resume in the Greater Male’ Area tomorrow after a suspension of four months.

The Ministry said the decision to resume congregational Friday prayers in the capital city was taken as part of the lockdown ease currently being implemented right now.

But last week, the Ministry delayed the Friday prayer congregation citing that the prayer would gather crowds and that it was still unsafe for such gatherings.

The government suspended communal prayers in the capital in March this year and resume congregational prayers on the 1st of July.

The Ministry had highlighted the following instructions for mosque-goers which;

  • Completing ablution from home
  • Taking prayer mat to the mosque
  • Maintain social distancing while entering and exiting the mosque
  • Maintaining social distancing while placing a prayer mat on the floor and praying only on the mat he/she took
  • To remain home if an individual has a cold, fever or cough
  • Elderly persons and individuals with respiratory illnesses should remain home
  • No handshaking in or out of the mosques
  • Avoid using copies of the Holy Quran kept at the mosques

The ministry also advised Imams to begin congregational prayers five minutes after the call of prayer and not to prolong any prayer for more than seven minutes. The ministry also advised Imams to recite short chapters (Surah) of the Holy Quran during congregational prayers.