UK Mosques Cancel Congregational Prayers and Other Activities

Mosques Emergency Plan of Action

Immediate Suspension of Activities

and Congregation Prayers

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Coordination Council of Mosques consisting of 22 Islamic Centres and Mosques of the  United Kingdom has taken the following Mosques Emergency Plan of Action: immediate suspension of activities and congregational prayers. It said to cancel all major activities at their mosques with immediate effect from 18 March 2020 as a temporary measure. This includes:

-          Jumu’ah prayers

-          Daily Congregational prayers

-          Madrasah and educational classes, conferences and other regular activities.

Statement from the Coordination Council of Mosques

The statement said as follows:

“The recently declared pandemic of COVID-19 has gripped the world in fear and hysteria; however, such a generational event presents a unique opportunity of spiritual introspection for a believer, rather than the emotion, which gives rise to frenzied, irrational conduct.

“Pondering the Qur’an, we find that Allah ta’ala reassures us that life is ultimately dependent upon Him. When misfortune strikes, the fragile nature of life becomes ever apparent, and we tend to forget that it is Allah ta’ala who gives life and causes death; and that none, save Him, can do so. We find that Allah ta’ala emphasis that all that transpires in existence does so at His decree:

“Say, ‘Never will happen to us except what Allāh has decreed for us; He is our Protector.’ And upon Allah let the believers place their trust/reliance.” [9:51]

“In addition, we are ever reminded that in times of calamity and adversity, ultimate saviour lies in returning, repenting and humbling ourselves before His Majesty:

 “Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.” [6:43]

“Following the latest rulings (fatwa's) from many reputable scholars, several Shari'ah Boards, as well as the latest UK governmental guidance and advice from medical organisations, the undersigned mosques have taken the unprecedented and difficult move to suspend all congregational services and activities. This is a decision that was not taken lightly and has been done to prevent the further spread of the virus in our mosques and the UK at large, with the foremost being the protection of the elderly and vulnerable amongst our communities.

“All mosques and faith institutions have a duty of care towards their communities. A unanimously agreed upon legal maxim in the Shari’ah states that: preservation of life takes precedence over the public commission of significant acts of worship, as well as the principle: Harm is to be removed. For these reasons, the undersigned are cancelling all major activities at their mosques, effective from the date of this statement, as a temporary measure. This includes:

· Jumu’ah prayers · Daily congregational prayers · Madrasah and educational classes, conferences and other regular lectures.

“We ask everyone to pray salah at home, this includes Jumu’ah, which should be replaced with the normal dhuhr (mid-day prayer consisting of 4 raka’at) prayer. Our mosques and Islamic centres shall ensure that telephone and online consultations with imams are regularly available during this period. We heavily advise communities to resort to their local Mosques and established organisations for Islamic advice and rulings. We also urge them to heed governmental advice regarding social interactions and precautions, all with the aim of reducing and containing the spread of the virus- both of which are ethical and Islamic objectives and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.

The onset of mass self-isolation gives the opportunity to reconnect with Allah ta’ala in moments of seclusion rarely gifted in today’s world, allowing us to rediscover the Qur’an in preparation for Ramadan, praying Jema'ah with our family or performing additional acts of worship that have been largely ignored. We should also seek to serve our community and the creation in a safe manner, reducing risk to the vulnerable in our communities and observing the communal, collective obligation of assisting one another, with affection and compassion.

 Coordination Council of Mosques

1. The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque

2. Al Muntada Al Islami

3. Jamiat e Ulama Britain

4. East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre

5. Birmingham Central Mosque

6. Glasgow Central Mosque

7. Manchester Central Mosque

8. Markazi Jamiat Ahlehadith UK

9. Edinburgh Central Mosque

10.Al Manaar – Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre

10.Al Manaar – Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre

11.Banbury Sheikh Bin Baaz Masjid

12.Muslim Welfare House

13.Quba Islamic Centre

14.The Wisdom Cultural Islamic Centre

15.Finsbury Park Mosque

16.Green Lane Mosque

17.Al Salaam Islamic Centre

18.Al Farooq Education and Community Centre Glasgow

19.Al Nagashi Mosque & Centre

20.Masjid Al Tawhid

21.Mayfair Islamic Centre

22.West London Islamic Centre – Ealing

London Central Mosque Trust & Islamic Cultural Centre

The London Central Mosques Trust & Islamic Cultural Centre also issued a press release cancelling all major activities effective from this evening of Wednesday 18 March 2020 to safeguard against the Coronavirus. This includes:

-          Jumu’ah prayers

-          Daily Congregational prayers

-          Madrasah and educational classes, conferences and other regular activities.

Council for Mosques Press Statement
In this connection, I would like to mention that the Council for Mosques Excecutive Board has issued the following press statement on 18 March 2020:
@We strongly recommend with an immediate effect:
a) Mosques to suspend their congregational five daily prayers.
b) Mosques to suspend the congregational prayer on Friday.
c) Mosques and Madrasas to suspend all Madrasa activities. 
d) Janaza prayers will be performed at the cemetery.

Lord Nazir Ahmed
Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham has tabled the following questions at the House of Lord on 18 March 2020 on religious gatherings and Friday prayers.
- To ask HM Government whether they will discourage religious gatherings due to COVID-19 virus.
- To ask HM Government what advice they have provided to the Muslim community regarding Friday prayers and whether they will encourage them to plan Ramadan 2020 within this month.