Perak mosques and surau open for prayers

IPOH: Mosques and surau in Perak can hold prayer sessions starting Thursday (Jan 28).

In a statement, state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council president Datuk Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini said only a maximum of 40 people, excluding mosque and surau officials or committee members, could perform daily, Friday and funeral prayers in the premises at any one time.

Mohd Annuar said Perak Ruler, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, has given his consent after considering the proposal by the council.

"Only those aged between 16 and 70 are allowed to pray at mosques and suraus.

"Friday prayers can also be held at surau in office buildings, institutions, universities, schools, college companies and factories," he said.

"Knowledge-related religious activities are allowed to be held at mosques and surau after maghrib prayers and before isyak prayers, while feasts are not allowed to be held at the premises, including its vicinity," he added.

Mohd Annuar said all mosque and surau committees need to tighten up observances of physical distancing and introducing control measures to monitor those entering and existing such premises.

"The state Islamic Religious Department has been tasked with issuing a complete guideline to all mosque and surau committees," he said.

Mohd Annuar said the Sultan understands the wishes of the Muslims who wanted to pray at the mosques and surau.

"His Royal Highness is also worried about their safety due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Sultan Nazrin sympathises with the Health Ministry staff and frontliners who are fighting to contain the coronavirus," he said.

"The Sultan opined that it is important for the people to help lessen the burden of the frontliners.

"Among these methods include practising physical distancing, minimising the number of attendees to an event, and not hold any events that could lead to gatherings," he said.

"The Sultan also expressed his highest appreciation to all frontliners, including the police, Rela and other agencies that are working closely to ensure the movement control order is observed," he added.