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Coronavirus: Worshippers return to Saudi mosques as lockdown eases

Worshippers are urged to abide by preventive measures for their own safety to curb the spread of Covid-19.

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Over 90,000 mosques in Saudi Arabia reopened their doors to worshippers on Sunday morning after over a two-month closure as part of an ease in the curfew restrictions to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The worshipers were allowed to enter the mosques, except the mosques in Makkah, from Fajr prayers today morning (Shawwal 8) with a limit of 40 per cent capacity.

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- ????? ????? ??? (@makkahregion) May 31, 2020

#PICTURES: Mosques reopened in #SaudiArabia, except the mosques in Makkah, after over a two-month closure. - (Credit: SPA) pic.twitter.com/AOWGLiV1la
- Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) May 31, 2020

The reopening of mosques was be undertaken in accordance with the guidance of Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Abdullatif Al Asheikh, and in line with advice issued by the Senior Council of Ulemas.

The ministry has embarked on a vigorous media campaign to urge all worshippers to abide by preventive measures for their own safety to curb the spread of Covid-19.Among the instructions are doing ablution at home, hand-washing and using sanitisers before going out to the mosque and after coming back home.

#PICTURES: The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques starts to open the doors of the Prophet's Mosque courtyards in Madinah in preparation for the reception of worshipers for Fajr prayer pic.twitter.com/W2xbYo3xKo
- Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) May 31, 2020

On Saturday, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has approved opening the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah in stages to the public.

The elderly and those with chronic diseases are advised to perform their prayers at home. Reading and reciting the Holy Quran online is advised, too, from one's own mobile phone or at least reading from a privately owned copy of the Holy Quran.

The Ministry has completed its preparations to reopen 90,000 mosques across the Kingdom of #SaudiArabia, after the approval of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to lift the suspension of Friday and congregational prayers in all mosques. pic.twitter.com/RTX3mdIrZu
- Ministry of Islamic Affairs ???? (@Saudi_MoiaEN) May 30, 2020

Bringing one's prayer mat to perform prayers in mosques is highly recommended as well as keeping a two-metre distance between one another prayer.

Accompanying children under the age of 15 to the mosques is prohibited. Putting on a face mask and avoiding shaking hands and other contact is also recommended.

Meanwhile, the ministry managed, during the closure of mosques, to undertaking a massive cleaning, sanitising and maintenance drive in all mosques Kingdom-wide, according to world-class standards and best known practices. This included sanitising over 10 million mosques, 43 million copies of several sizes and volumes of the Quran, more than 600,000 Holy Quran cupboards, in addition to repairing and maintaining about 176,000 water closets, annexed to mosques.