Hindu Sangam requests for temples to open Fridays and Saturdays

CORONAVIRUS | The Malaysian Hindu Sangam is seeking federal approval for Hindu temples to open twice a week next month under the new guidelines for non-Muslim places of worship.

According to The Malaysian Insight (TMI), it said all 84 Hindu temples should be allowed to operate on both Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm to 9pm.

Sangam president RS Mohan Shan has reportedly submitted a request to the National Security Council (NSC) as well as the National Unity Department.

He said the body’s earlier request to open temples in the mornings and evenings was declined.

The current conditional movement order (MCO) is slated to end on June 9.

Under the new guidelines released on Thursday, non-Muslim places of worship in green zones would be permitted to reopen from June 10 but only on important days according to each religion.

Green zones are areas deemed Covid-19 free with no infected cases while red zones are areas recording 40 and more cases.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had said that churches, as an example, would be allowed to open on Sundays while Buddhist and Hindu temples could open up twice weekly depending on their prayer days.

Among other conditions set by the government is that the number of devotees - comprising Malaysians only - allowed in for prayers is to be capped at 30 depending on the size of the premise.

Meanwhile, those above the age of 70 and those below 12 are not permitted to enter the premises.

TMI further reported that Buddhist temples nationwide will not open come June 10 with the exception of the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen temple near Klang which has applied to be allowed to open. The area is still a red zone.

Gurdwaras, meanwhile, have requested to open every Sunday from 7am to 2pm, from June 10.

The Catholic church is also awaiting approval from the NSC to reopen worship services.

It was previously reported that the Council of Churches of Malaysia (CCM) - comprising Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Syrian Christian and Presbyterian denominations - has decided to continue to keep churches closed until the MCO is completely lifted and only if the Health Ministry has assured that Covid-19 no longer poses a threat. - Mkini