The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has closed mosques and cancelled Friday prayers in response to news that about 90 Singaporeans had attended a mass religious gathering in Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia which is turning out to be COVID-19 cluster.
According to media reports, a large number of delegates were at the event at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, with some estimates of the audience being as high as 14,500. The event ran from February 27 to March 1.
So far, four Singaporean individuals who attended the event have been tested positive for the virus.
"Muis understands that these individuals are regular congregants at various local mosques and are likely to have frequented these mosques since their return from KL," the organisation said in a statement.
To stop further potential spread of COVID-19, Muis closed Masjid Muttaqin, Masjid Kassim, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah and Masjid Jamae Chulia as of 12 March. These were the mosques which the initial positive cases had visited after they returned to Singapore.
Muis further announced the following measures:
- All mosques in Singapore will be temporarily closed for thorough cleaning from 13 March to 17 March
- Congregational Friday prayers for 13 March were suspended. A video message from the Mufti on Singapore was uploaded on Facebook in Malay*.
- All mosque activities will be suspended for two weeks from 13 March to 27 March. These include lectures, religious classes and mosque-based kindergarten sessions.
"Muis continues to monitor the situation and will update the community accordingly. Muis seeks the support and the understanding of the Muslim community for such preemptive measures to safeguard public health and the well-being of all communities in Singapore. It is part of our religious and social responsibility to do so.
"Muis advises the community to maintain best practices in hygiene and socially responsible behaviour during this period, and avoiding physical handshakes. We should continue to remain spiritually resilient and support each other, especially those who are vulnerable in our community," the organisation concluded.
The Fatwa Committee has also released a fatwa (religious ruling) on the permissibility of suspending the congregational Friday prayers when the need arises in the interest of public health and safety. Muslims were advised to perform their regular noon (dhuhr) prayers instead of the congregational prayers.
Online classes are available at go.gov.sg/onlinekuliah
Hashtags: #SGUnited, #MuftiTalk
*The newly-appointed Mufti, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, quoted Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155-157) and said, "As Muslims, we should remind ourselves that any tests that befall us is a means for us to increase our patience and faith in Allah s.w.t. It also serves as a reminder for us that we belong to Allah, and to Allah we will return. Hence, let us purify our hearts and strengthen our ties with Allah s.w.t. in these trying times by continuously seeking His forgiveness and praying to Him.
"May Allah s.w.t. continue to protect all of humankind from all trials and tragedy, and show us the path that He favours. Ameen."
According to media reports, a large number of delegates were at the event at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling, with some estimates of the audience being as high as 14,500. The event ran from February 27 to March 1.
So far, four Singaporean individuals who attended the event have been tested positive for the virus.
"Muis understands that these individuals are regular congregants at various local mosques and are likely to have frequented these mosques since their return from KL," the organisation said in a statement.
To stop further potential spread of COVID-19, Muis closed Masjid Muttaqin, Masjid Kassim, Masjid Hajjah Fatimah and Masjid Jamae Chulia as of 12 March. These were the mosques which the initial positive cases had visited after they returned to Singapore.
Muis further announced the following measures:
- All mosques in Singapore will be temporarily closed for thorough cleaning from 13 March to 17 March
- Congregational Friday prayers for 13 March were suspended. A video message from the Mufti on Singapore was uploaded on Facebook in Malay*.
- All mosque activities will be suspended for two weeks from 13 March to 27 March. These include lectures, religious classes and mosque-based kindergarten sessions.
"Muis continues to monitor the situation and will update the community accordingly. Muis seeks the support and the understanding of the Muslim community for such preemptive measures to safeguard public health and the well-being of all communities in Singapore. It is part of our religious and social responsibility to do so.
"Muis advises the community to maintain best practices in hygiene and socially responsible behaviour during this period, and avoiding physical handshakes. We should continue to remain spiritually resilient and support each other, especially those who are vulnerable in our community," the organisation concluded.
The Fatwa Committee has also released a fatwa (religious ruling) on the permissibility of suspending the congregational Friday prayers when the need arises in the interest of public health and safety. Muslims were advised to perform their regular noon (dhuhr) prayers instead of the congregational prayers.
Online classes are available at go.gov.sg/onlinekuliah
Hashtags: #SGUnited, #MuftiTalk
*The newly-appointed Mufti, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, quoted Surah Al-Baqarah (2:155-157) and said, "As Muslims, we should remind ourselves that any tests that befall us is a means for us to increase our patience and faith in Allah s.w.t. It also serves as a reminder for us that we belong to Allah, and to Allah we will return. Hence, let us purify our hearts and strengthen our ties with Allah s.w.t. in these trying times by continuously seeking His forgiveness and praying to Him.
"May Allah s.w.t. continue to protect all of humankind from all trials and tragedy, and show us the path that He favours. Ameen."