Cairo: Hundreds of thousands of Muslims Sunday flocked to mosques across Saudi Arabia as mosques reopened their doors after more than two months of shutdown due to the novel coronavirus.
Observing strict health measures, worshippers had their temperatures checked before they entered mosques for the Fajr prayer. Each worshipper had his own rug to prevent the spread of the virus.
Beginning from Sunday, congregation prayers are allowed again in mosques across Saudi Arabia except in the city of Mecca as part of the kingdom’s plan for gradual return to normal life.
Sunday also saw the gradual reopening of the Prophet Mosque in Medina with prayers allowed in 40 per cent of the mosque’s capacity.
In March, Saudi authorities suspended prayers in the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina amid a series of precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has set a raft of precautions for performing group prayers in mosques. They include opening mosques 15 minutes before the Adhan and close them 10 minutes after the end of the prayer with the interval between the Adhan and the start of the prayer shortened to 10 minutes.
Worshippers are kept apart with a distance of two metres. Children under 15 are barred from going to mosques as a preventive measure.
Toilets and ablution places are closed with a ban on the distribution of water and food inside mosques. Likewise, mosque lectures and Quran memorisation gatherings are suspended.
