Dubai: All Muslims in Kuwait have been instructed to pray at home instead of going to the mosque, as health authorities in the country struggles to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus. This came as Kuwait reported four new cases of the disease, taking its total to 104.
All congregational and weekly Friday prayers at Kuwait’s mosques were temporarily suspended on Friday by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.
It is believed to be the first time ever that Kuwait has cancelled congregational prayers. Muezzins in the country amended the adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, and replaced the penultimate part of it – Hayya ala Al salah, or ‘come to the prayer’, with Al Salatu Fi Buyutikum, or ‘pray in your homes’.
Despite the ban on congregational prayers, muezzins will continue to make the call. Videos of the amended adhan have gone viral on social media platforms.
The ban comes at a time when Gulf states are stepping up precautionary measures to fight the spread of the new coronavirus.
Kuwait is not the only Arab country to ban congregational prayers. Iraq and Iran have banned Friday congregational prayers while in Saudi Arabia, congregational prayers can still be performed but with precaution and by adhering to guidelines, to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.
