Minister: Friday prayers won't be called off for now

CORONAVIRUS | There is no need to call off Friday prayers for now, said Islamic Affairs Minister Zulkifli Mohamad.

However, he said, the sermon will have to be cut short due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"The public are urged to perform wuduk (ablution) at home before heading to the mosque and the khutbah (sermon) needs to be shortened to reduce the chances of the congregation being exposed to the environment," said Zulkifli.

He was speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an event in Putrajaya this morning.

Zulkifli, a former Federal Territories mufti, said if the Covid-19 outbreak escalates, then Friday prayers can be called off.

"If it continues to spread out of control, then Friday prayers need not be held.

"However, it has to be 'replaced' with the zohor prayers at home," he said.

For now, Zulkifli urged mosque caretakers to prepare face masks and hand sanitisers for the congregation.

Meanwhile, he said his ministry was preparing five working papers on Muslim practices in relations to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"God willing, we will present it soon to the Fatwa Council for a decision," he said. - Mkini