Johor slashes physical distancing by half for group prayers

 

Johor is cutting the physical distancing requirement for congregational prayers from one metre to 0.5 metres.

The decision was announced in a joint statement by Johor Islamic Religious Department director Md Rofiki Shamsudin, state exco in charge of Islamic affairs Tosrin Jarvanthi, and Johor mufti Yahya Ahmad.

The announcement was shared on Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar's Facebook page.

According to the announcement, the Johor fatwa council made this decision to uphold the state ruler's decree.

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The state fatwa council also decided that a solat hajat will be held daily after the solat fardhu maghrib at Johor mosques and surau.

The allowable time for ceramah and sermons was also extended from one hour to two hours.

"The mosque and surau management committees must ensure that the congregation abides by all Coivd-19 standard operating procedures issued by the National Security Council from time to time," the announcement read.

At the federal level, the physical distancing requirement is set at one metre.

This rule only applies to mosques and surau in the federal territories.

At the state level, the respective rulers are responsible for Islamic regulations in their states.

- Mkini