Tarawih prayers to proceed this Ramadan

 

Muslims performing Friday prayers while adhering to the one-metre physical distancing requirement in Masjid Al Najihin, Kuala Lumpur, last year. -NSTP File Pix

As new daily Covid-19 cases are still in the four-digit range, Muslims were wondering whether the tarawih congregational prayers, performed during Ramadan, would be given the green light or otherwise.

The government, however, has permitted the special prayers but advised caution in areas where cases have gone up "exponentially" and those with high infectivity rates.

Last week, state religious authorities announced additional measures to the standard operating procedures (SOP).

As reported earlier, all mosques are allowed to fill to capacity while adhering strictly to at least one-metre distancing between congregants.

Congregants must register their entry at mosques manually or via the MySejahtera app.

Congregants must wear face masks throughout the prayers and bring their own prayer mats.

Imams are encouraged to recite short Quranic verses so that the prayers can be concluded quickly.

These are the SOPs that will be enforced for the tarawih prayers in mosques and prayer halls nationwide.

However, some states have taken extra steps by implementing additional SOPs.

In Perlis, to avoid congestion of congregants at mosques, the tarawih prayers will be held in two sessions. The first session is between 9pm and 10.30pm, while the next is between 10.30pm and midnight.

For Penang, prayers can only be held for a maximum of 45 minutes, while Kelantan caps it at one hour.

In Pahang, the tarawih prayers are allowed until 10 pm.

No time limit has been set for the prayers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak.

The authorities may enter mosques and prayer halls to ensure SOP compliance. - NST