Minister proposes that mosques stay closed until April 14

De facto Islamic affairs minister Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri has proposed that all activities at mosques and surau, including Friday prayers, be deferred until the end of the movement control order period (MCO). 

This is after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said the MCO would be extended to April 14 in effort to combat the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

"I leave this to the consideration of the respective religious authorities of each state to be decided by them," Zulkifli said in a statement today.

The federal government only has oversight over Islamic activities in the federal territories.

Zulkifli said he hoped all Muslims would comply with the MCO by performing the zohor noon prayers on Fridays and other prayers in their own homes.

The MCO seeks to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus by waiting out the virus' incubation period.

It was extended amid a rise in cases and expectations that the situation could get worse.

There were 172 new cases of Covid-19 reported today with the total now at 1,796.

The death toll is at 19. - Mkini