Malé, Maldives – Representatives of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs have met with a number of Imams in charge of mosques to advise on further measures Imams are to take in light of the recent surge of Covid-19 cases in Maldives.
At meeting kept earlier today at the Islamic Ministry’s hall, attending Imam’s were instructed to further advise mosque goers to follow guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA).
Islamic Ministry said that Imams were asked to press individuals to wear masks when going to the mosques, and to bring their own prayer mat. In addition, Imam’s were notified to advise citizens to support precautionary measures, and to be extra vigilant in following such measures.
The Ministry revealed that the Imam’s were also informed of a vaccination program for them which is being planned with the HPA.
Mosques remained closed for a extended period in the greater Male’ region and all over Maldives during the initial months of the pandemic. In various countries, there have been a number of Covid-19 clusters linked to mosques, leading to closures and conflicts between Muslim communities and governments. A muslim majority country, Malaysia, for instance has detected five generations of positive Covid-19 cases that were linked to the Tabligh gathering in the Seri Petaling Mosque.
While no mosque related clusters have been identified in the Maldives, such gatherings are far from safe, especially as a majority of mosque goers are at risk senior citizens.
