The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has issued an advisory in the last week of Ramadhan amid tightened COVID-19 measures in Singapore.
Given that the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) in Singapore has announced that congregational and other worship services must implement pre-event testing for services involving more than 100 and up to 250 attendees at any one time, Muis will study the feasibility of implementing such pre-event testing procedures at mosques, given the cost and operational considerations involved. The organisation noted that pre-event testing would allow for larger congregational prayers (i.e. up to 250 spaces).
Muis further announced that booking for Eid prayers would open on 11 May 2021 at 10am. Bookings can be made via https://ourmosques.commonspaces.sg or via the Muslim.sg app. Congregants who are unwell or unable to attend the prayer session are advised to cancel their booking so that the space may be given to others.
On Eid eve, the Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir will lead a group of asatizah in the Takbir Raya. This will be broadcast live on SalamSG TV.
On Eid morning, mosques will conduct congregational prayers with full safe management measures in place. Each mosque will hold three prayer sessions. Each session will be limited to 100 congregants, in two zones of 50 persons each. SalamSG TV will broadcast the Mufti’s Eid sermon.
Muis' guidelines for visits during the Eid period include:
- Limiting social gatherings and home visitations to two per day
- Up to five unique visitors each day
- Greet using the 'salam mufti', where one places their hand close to their heart
- Keep masks on when visiting relatives and friends in their homes, when not consuming food and drink
- Avoid sharing of food with others, and consume individual portions
- Stay home if unwell, and see a doctor to get tested when sick; and
- Avoid going to crowded places, and stay home where possible. Muis suggests foregoing physical gatherings and instead connecting digitally.
"Our community has shown great resilience and responsibility throughout Ramadhan in fulfilling our religious obligations. Understandably, many are sad and disappointed, but the new and more contagious variant is a grim reminder that we are still in a pandemic situation. Let us make this Hari Raya season a very safe one where we are vigilant, resilient and united.
"When we follow the safety measures, we are keeping our society and our country safe. As we do so, others will recognise our religion as a religion that protects the well-being of others. This is our contribution that is in keeping with the spirit of ihsan (إحسان)* and kindness which we learn in the month of Ramadhan," said Dr Nazirudin.
*Ihsan is translated as excellence, perfection or beauty in relation to faith.