Ismail Sabri: Staff of foreign embassies can join Friday prayers starting July 3

PUTRAJAYA: Diplomats and foreign staff of embassies will be allowed to join the congregation for Friday prayers from July 3, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said embassies which have surau facilities in its compound and had held Friday prayers before the movement control order (MCO) can do so again next week.

“Wisma Putra will issue a diplomatic note to inform all foreign missions on the government’s decision.

“However, foreigners who are Muslims but who are not attached to any diplomatic missions are still not allowed to perform Friday prayers.

“The government is still considering this and when we have a decision, we will make the necessary announcement, ” he said on Friday (June 26).

He also said that the government has not decided on having two sessions for Friday prayers.

“This has not been discussed for mosques and suraus for the Federal Territories, ” he said.

He was asked if the government would take a cue from Singapore, which will allow Friday congregational prayers to be held in two sessions starting June 26.

Reports from the island republic said that the two half-hour sessions will be limited to 50 people per session, with a half-hour interval between the sessions to ensure safe crowd management.