KUCHING: Sarawak will review the guidelines on prayers at mosques and surau if cases of Covid-19 in the state continue to drop, said Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
Dr Abdul Rahman said the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) had issued the latest standard operating procedure (SOP) guidelines for Muslims performing prayers at mosques and surau statewide on July 6.
“MIS had increased the number of individuals for Fardhu prayers to 150 in mosques and surau meanwhile, for Friday prayers, the number of congregation was increased to 400 including the mosque officials and management committee members.
“Before the latest SOP guidelines were issued, we had discussed with several agencies such as Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (Jais), Sarawak Mufti Department, and others in order to ensure that the SOPs were in line with the current pandemic situation,” he said today.
Dr Abdul Rahman pointed out that every guideline must be consistent with data on the Covid-19 received from Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).
“The number of people allowed to pray in mosques and surau are in full compliance with SDMC decision which is why for now, the public are asked to follow the latest guidelines issued.
“If the cases of Covid-19 in Sarawak continue to drop, we might evaluate again the guidelines on the number of individuals allowed praying in mosques and surau as well as for the upcoming Hari Raya Aidiladha.
“We will discuss with SDMC and other agencies to increase the numbers if only the situation permits,” he said.
