Seeking Government Guidance for
Congregational Prayers in Mosques
Dr. Mozammel Haque
London Central Mosque Trust and Islamic Cultural Centre
issued press release on 11 June seeking government guidance for congregational
prayers in Mosques.
Earlier on 7th of June 2020, The Government
issued a press release where places of worship was given permission to reopen
for individual prayer from Monday 15th of June 2020.
It was also mentioned, “Individual prayer will be permitted
from 15 June, but communally led prayer, worship or devotion such as services,
evensong, informal prayer meetings, Mass, Jummah or Kirtan will not be possible
at this stage. The government will continue to work with the Taskforce towards
the full reopening of places of worship as soon as the scientific advice
allows.
Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “Ensuring
places of worship can open again; beginning with individual prayer has been my
priority. Their contribution to the common good of our country is clear, as
places of solace, comfort, stability and dignity. And the need for them is all
the greater as we weather the uncertainties of the pandemic.
“I’m pleased this can now happen from 15 June. As
Communities Secretary I have worked with faith leaders and representatives to
prepare guidance that ensures this can be done safely. People of all faiths
have shown enormous patience and forbearance, unable to mark Easter, Passover,
Ramadan or Vaisakhi with friends and family in the traditional way. As we
control the virus, we are now able to move forwards with a limited, but
important return to houses of worship.”
Faith Minister Lord Greenhalgh said: “Religious communities
have shown enormous resilience and sacrifice in celebrating significant
spiritual moments like Easter, Passover, Ramadan, Eid and Vaisakhi at home
during these extraordinary times.
“The government has determined that this is the right time
to begin re-opening places of worship for individual prayer.
“It’s our hope that this is the first step in places of worship
reopening fully, when the science supports it. I look forward to continuing to
discuss with the Taskforce how to address ongoing practical safety issues in
the coming weeks.
“Places of worship still have discretion over when they
consider it safe to open and may decide to remain closed or reopen at a slower
pace if they wish.”
Religious leaders split over
reopening of Places of Worship
reopening of Places of Worship
Christian leaders have welcomed the government's
announcement that places of worship in England will be allowed to reopen for
individual prayer from 15 June, but Muslim and Jewish leaders said the move was
not appropriate for the way they practise their faith, reported by ITV news on
9 June 2020.
The ITV report also mentioned, “The secretary general of
the Muslim Council of Britain, Harun Khan, said the government's guidance
lacked clarity for Muslim communities.”
The Coordination Committee for
Mosques
and Islamic Centres in London
The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres
in London have taken decision to seek guidance from Government for
Congregational prayers in the Mosque on 11 June 2020.
Calls for the Government to provide
clarity on congregational prayers
"Recent
Government guidance is allowing places of worship to reopen for ‘individual’
worship from 15 June 2020. Whilst this may be appropriate for some faiths, it
does not take in to account that congregational prayers are the main act of
worship within a Mosque.," said the Islamic Cultural Centre's press release issued on 11 June 2020.
It also mentioned, "The
Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres in London is seeking for
clear government guidance on the timing and conditions for the re-opening of
mosques for collective worship, so that congregational prayers can be safely
facilitated. In the meantime, our Mosques will continue to remain temporarily
closed.
"The
transmission of Covid19 still remains a serious threat to the lives of everyone
specially, vulnerable people in our communities. Evidence shows that the BAME
(Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) members are disproportionally affected by
Covid19. Therefore, we consider the safety and well-being of our congregations
as a paramount concern. This decision will be kept under constant review, as
will requ review, as will requisite risk assessments and the preparation of
adequate safety measures working with the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) in
accordance with government guidelines.
"We
would like to thank our community for their support, patience and understanding
during this difficult time. We will continue offering online educational and
welfare services, as we have done for the duration of the lockdown and we are
hopeful that the Mosques will reopen in the not so distant future, Insha’Allah.
Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres,
London
* The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque
• East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
• Finsbury Park Mosque
• Al Manaar – Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
• Al Muntada Al Islami & WL
• Al Muntada Al Islami & WLICC
• Muslim Welfare House
• Mayfair Islamic Centre
• Masjid Al Tawhid
• Al-Nagashi Mosque & Centre"
Baroness Uddin in the House of Lords
On 15 June, 2020, Baroness Uddin raised the same question to
get clarity on congregational prayers in Mosques.
Baroness
Uddin in the House of Lords
On
15 June, 2020, Baroness Uddin raised the same question in the House of Lords to
get clarity on congregational prayers in Mosques.
On Congregational Prayers
On congregational Prayers, Baroness Uddin said, “We are a
number of weeks past the concept of bubbles, and there are very important
questions about access to places of worship, including mosques, gurdwaras and
temples. He will be aware that many volunteer organisations have ensured during
the emergency period that government messaging goes out to communities. They
are asking for clarity. When will these instructions be made clear to them, to
make sure that congregational prayers do not resume without adequate support?”
“These and subsequent measures have not referred adequately
to the plight of those suffering from mental ill-health. Mental health has
significantly deteriorated due to family income. What measures are the
Government considering to address the plight of the more than 1 million people
who have not been able to access government financial support? I agree
wholeheartedly with the noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, on the issues of mental
health she has raised,” she mentioned.
Lord Bethell, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in
the Department of Health and Social Care, replied, “I am grateful to people of
all faiths for the patience they have shown during the lockdown, and I am very
pleased that we been able to reopen places of worship for individual prayer
this week. However, I reassure my noble friend and the noble Baroness, Lady
Uddin, that we hope to be able to reopen places of worship fully when this is
supported by the science. I am grateful to the places of worship task force for
its continued engagement.”
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