COVID-19 UAE: Places of worship open in the Emirates after months of closure

Measures such as temperature checks, social distancing and mask wearing remain in place

Last updated:
2 MIN READ
1/17
Worshippers pay obeisance at Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
2/17
Mosques across the UAE have been closed as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus since March 16. They reopened today with strict guidelines to ensure the safety of their visitors.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
3/17
About 770 mosques reopened in Dubai today, a welcome sight for the faithful.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
4/17
A set of eight procedures have been listen to ensure safety including leaving an empty row between worshippers. The faithful have also been asked to bring their own prayer mats.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
5/17
Karama Mosque . Mosques are reopen for daily prayers but Friday prayers were not yet permitted. Worshippers should perform ablution at home before attending the mosque for prayer.
Clint Egbert/Gulf News
6/17
A mask clad worshipper enters the Blue mosque also known as AlFarooq Omar bin AlKhattab mosque in Dubai to pray.
Antonin Kallouche/Gulf News
7/17
All worshippers must download Al Hosn application.
Antonin Kallouche/Gulf News
8/17
Worshippers at Dhuhr prayers in a Sharjah mosque. Worshippers are encouraged to frequently sanitise their hands.
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
9/17
Maintaining physical distancing of three metres, worshippers pray at a Sharjah mosque
Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News
10/17
At the entrances of places such as the Bur Dubai temple (pictured), there are strategically placed markers for visitors to stand. These stickers ensure that social distancing – or a difference of two metres between people – is maintained at all times.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
11/17
Other precautions being undertaken at the Bur Dubai temple include the wearing of facemasks at all times.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
12/17
Plus, temperatures are checked before one can gain entry to the temple, to ensure that symptomatic carriers of the virus don't make it in, thus reducing the chances of infection sharing.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
13/17
So that people don't forget the measures in place for their own safety, there are posters detailing safe behaviours set up at easy-to-read spots at the places of worship. Pictured here is one such sign at the Bur Dubai Temple.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
14/17
In keeping with the UAE's guidelines of social distancing, at least 2 metres of space must be left between visitors. Pictured above: people at the Bur Dubai Temple.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
15/17
Gurudwara prepares to open in Dubai.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
16/17
Gurudwara committee prepares to sanitise the building before reopening.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News
17/17
Safety Sanitizing station. Only packed food (prasad) will be served upon its opening.
Virendra Saklani/Gulf News

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next