Johor allows Friday, Aidilfitri prayers, subject to SOPs under conditional MCO

JOHOR BARU: The Johor government has allowed Friday and Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers as well as akad nikah (solemnisation of marriage) ceremony to be held throughout the state during the conditional movement control order period.

State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has given a decree in allowing the matter to be held statewide.

The Bukit Permai assemblyman said Friday prayers can be held at mosques starting May 15.

"However, there will be guidelines in holding such prayers at mosques such as the congregation should not consist more than 12 individuals at one given time.

"This includes the imam, the bilal as well as the respective mosque committee where they will take turns in performing the prayers," he said in a press conference held at Pusat Islam Iskandar here on Wednesday (May 13).

Tosrin reminded all mosques to follow the new standard operating procedures introduced by the Johor Religious Islamic Department (JAINJ) and Health Ministry under the conditional MCO.

He pointed out that any mosques found not adhering to the set of guidelines would be taken action against including closing it.

"We will request the police and Rela to guard all mosques to make sure that the number of people praying does not exceed 12 individuals during Friday and Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers.

"For other Muslims, they can still performed the prayers at their own home," he added.

On the akad nikah ceremony, Tosrin said the ceremony must take place at the respective Kadi Office where it must not exceed six people including the couple, wali and witnesses.

"However, wedding receptions still cannot be held as it involves mass gathering of the public, which is against the conditional MCO," he said.

He added that a total of 872 couples were expected to conduct their akad nikah ceremony in Johor during the conditional MCO starting May 17.

"This is the number of approved applications issued by the respective district Kadi Offices before the first MCO was imposed on March 18," he said.