Foreigners allowed to pray in mosques from Sept 1

PUTRAJAYA: In a further relaxation of restrictions, foreigners will now be allowed to perform their prayers in mosques nationwide from Sept 1, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The Senior Minister said they must, however, adhere to the same strict Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP) such as physical distancing during congregational prayers in the mosques.

“The special ministerial meeting has given the green light for foreigners who are working here to perform their prayers at mosques from Sept 1.

“They must register themselves before entering the mosques.

“The mosques’ committees can still decide whether to allow people in based on their capacity.

“Whether there is space or not, it is for the mosques to evaluate and decide on the number of people that can enter.

“But generally, foreigners are allowed to pray from Sept 1.

They must observe the SOP and wear their face masks, ” said Ismail Sabri at a press conference after chairing the special ministerial meeting on the Covid-19 pandemic yesterday.

Previously, the government only allowed Malaysians to attend congregational prayers as part of the recovery movement control order (MCO).

Muslims, said Ismail Sabri, would not need to bring their own sejadah (prayer mats) to the mosques during prayers.

Prior to this, those who did not bring their own sejadah would not be allowed to pray in the mosques as part of protection measures against Covid-19.

“I would like to thank many of the mosque committees for strictly adhering to the government’s SOP.

“We’ve seen how those who came to mosques without their own

sejadah were turned away.

“However, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri had raised appeals that he had received from numerous people.

“The special ministerial meeting took the views of the people into consideration and agreed to allow those without their prayer mats to enter the mosques.

“However, face masks are still mandatory and we will not compromise on that since we have already relaxed the rules on prayer mats, ” added Ismail Sabri.

Mosques, he said, could choose to sell face masks at a ceiling price of RM1 to those without one.

On another matter, Ismail Sabri said Malaysian oil and gas workers were no longer required to undergo mandatory quarantine when signing on or off from offshore platforms.

“Malaysians only need to take swab tests before they sign on the platforms and do not need to be quarantined.

“When they are supposed to return to shore, they also do not need to be quarantined and can return to their hometowns after being screened, ” he said.

Foreigners, however, were still required to take the swab test and undergo a 14-day quarantine.