UAE suspends prayers at mosques, other places of worship

Decision is part of precautionary and preventive measures taken by against coronavirus

Ramping up defences against the spread of the novel coronavirus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has suspended prayers at mosques and all other places of worship across the country for four weeks.

According to the Gulf News, the National Emergency of Crisis and Disasters Management Authority and the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Awqaf temporarily suspended prayers at mosques and places of worship in the country as of 9pm Monday for four weeks as a precautionary measure amid global COVID-19 outbreak.

The decision to suspend prayers in mosques, chapels, places of worship and their facilities will be reviewed after four weeks from now.



The decision is part of the precautionary and preventive measures taken by the UAE against coronavirus, COVID- 19, and based on the instructions of the Ministry of Health Prevention and the Fatwa of the Emirates Fatwa Council in coordination with the federal and local religious and health authorities.

The UAE's concerned authorities called on citizens, residents and visitors to comply with this announcement, which is in the interest of the people.

Only the unified Azan (call for prayer), shall be turned on, while the mosques doors shall remain closed, The Khaleej Times quoted authorities as saying.

“The words ‘pray at home’ shall be repeated twice after the end of the Azan.”

“Iqama (standing for prayers) shall not be voiced in the loudspeakers,” they added. As for the five daily prayers, everyone is urged to pray home, they underlined.