Muslim Judicial Council encourages mosques not to rush opening
The Muslim Judicial Council of South Africa is encouraging mosques to delay opening their doors for congregations until at least July.
Mosques, churches, temples, synagogues and other places of worship are allowed to open from June 1.
The council is, however, concerned that the Western Cape remains the epicentre of the country’s Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
It adds that and medical professionals predict that the peak in the outbreak will be reached by the end of June.
The council says mosques that wish to open should do so with the full knowledge that they can comply with the safety regulations that will be made available by Government.
"Strict adherence to these regulations is a must for the safety and welfare of congregants,” says the council.
“We also recommend a staggered approach and to not start with 50 persons but to rather slowly phase in the number of persons starting from a small number and gradually increasing in number.”
The council says mosques that are not ready or do not have adequate resources to ensure the safety of congregants should remain closed until they can guarantee adherence to the regulations.
Mosques that are situated in areas identified as ‘hotspots’ are recommended to remain closed until the situation in the areas improves.
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