Kuwait City: A circular was sent out on Saturday by the Ministry of Endowment and Islamic Affairs stating that Qiyam prayers will be not allowed to take place in six neighbourhoods, all of which are mainly populated by expats.
All mosques in Hawally, Maidan Hawally, Jleeb Al Shuyoukh, Mahboula, Salmiya and Al Nugra are banned from performing Qiyam, a prayer service that takes place during the last 10 days of Ramadan.
As for the other mosques, they will be allowed to hold Qiyam prayer but they are restricted to 30 minutes and are only open to men.
What is Qiyam?
Qiyam is a voluntary prayer that is done during the last 10 days of Ramadan and takes place between the Ishaa (evening) and Fajr (sunrise) prayer.
While Qiyam is not mandatory prayer, the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, “The best of salah after the obligatory salah, is the salah of the night (Qiyamullail).” (Muslim).
Qiyam prayers are done during the last 10 days of Ramadan as Laylatul Qadr (night of power) takes place sometime during the last 10 days of Ramadan and is said that to be most scared night in the Islamic calendar.
Although the exact date of Laylatul Qadr is known, it is believed to take place on an odd night in the last 10 days of Ramadan.
The Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) said, “Whoever prays on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven,” (Bukhari and Muslim).
Restrictions at mosques
Since Ramadan began, mosques were given the green light to hold prayers but worshippers had to adhere to health measures put in place.
Most notably is that Taraweh, a prayer service that takes place after evening prayer, was limited to 15 minutes and only men were allowed to pray in the mosques.
In addition, all worshippers are required to bring their own prayer mat, wear a mask and maintain social distancing inside the mosque. To limit large crowds, Iftar charity meals and Islamic lessons and lectures were banned this year.
