Covid-19: Selangor’s right to set SOP on Friday prayers over booster shot, says Idris

TAIPING: The Federal Government respected the Selangor government's decision to only allow congregants who have completed two vaccine doses and booster dose to perform Friday prayers at mosques and surau in the state, says Datuk Idris Ahmad.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said this was within the state's right and the decision on the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Friday prayers in Selangor was made by the state Islamic religious council and not a directive from the Ministry of Health (MOH).

"Religious affairs come under the respective state Islamic religious councils; MOH does not issue directives on such matters.

"The recent Cabinet meeting also did not issue such a directive... I cannot intervene and must respect the decision because it is the state's right," he told a press conference after handing over schooling aid to 50 students here Sunday (Feb 27).

Earlier today, Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) deputy director-general (Policy) Datuk Hakimah Mohd Yusoff in a statement said the ruling on completion of two doses and booster dose to be able to perform Friday prayers was only applicable to Selangor.

On Tuesday (Feb 22), the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) through a circular dated Feb 21 set the two-dose and booster dose requirement to be able to perform Friday prayers at mosques and surau in the state effective Feb 25. - Bernama