Kuwait to lift ban on Friday prayers this week

Dubai: Kuwait will lift the four-month coronavirus ban on Friday prayers at mosques nationwide this week after taking all measures to prevent the disease’s spread, according to local Kuwaiti media.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs’ decision encompasses more than 1,000 mosques across all governorates, Undersecretary Fareed Emadi said in a statement. Necessary precautionary measures have been taken to prepare mosques, including complete sanitization, signboards and measures to ensure social distancing between worshippers.

Mosque doors will open 30 minutes before the call to prayer and close 15 minutes after with the Khutbah (sermon) and prayer not exceeding 15 minutes. The entry and exit of worshippers will also be organized with signs on the ground organizing the location of each worshipper during prayer.

Under the decision, preachers have been instructed to remind worshippers of abiding by health and safety measures, like social distancing, to wear facemasks and to stay home if they experience any symptoms.

Those currently on quarantine will be denied entry, according to the official, who went on to urge those with weak immune systems or with chronic illnesses to stay home. Water fountains and toilets will be shut with seats and door handles routinely sanitized, he added.

Therefore, worshippers are required to carry out their pre-prayer wash (wudu) at home. Worshippers are also required to bring their own prayer rug and wear a facemask or they will be denied entry. Shaking hands hands and close social interactions is discouraged inside the mosque.

Children under the age of 15 will also be denied entry. Prayers conducted at the Grand Mosque will be televised on state TV, added the official, who warned that in the event rules are not observed mosques will be closed once again.