Reopening of Mosques for Congregational
Prayers – Update
Dr Mozammel Haque
“Our Mosques will
consider reopening for congregational prayers from 25th July with a
phased re-opening of some mosques from July 13th for limited prayers. This
trial will provide valuable experience to help ensure that our communities will
be kept safe” – That was the view of the Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres,
London which met on 7th July at the Islamic Cultural Centre, London.
The followings
are the Statement issued by The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic
Centres, London posted on 9th July 2020 at the ICC web.
"The Coordination
Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London met to review the current
situation on whether it would now be safe to reopen our mosques. Medical
evidence on the current risks was presented at the meeting alongside feedback
on the experience of other mosques who have reopened.
Dr Muhammmed Umar Ebrahimsa, specialist
in Infectious Diseases and General Medicine advised:
"Data
released prior to July 4 2020 by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
(SAGE), suggests that we remain on the cusp of an increase in the number of
infections in the London region; with an R of 0.8-1.1 or a growth rate of
infections of between -4 and +2%. On 4 July itself, the government put in place
a further reduction of social distancing and allowed the reopening of most of
businesses and venues. The impact of these changes in activity on the number of
infections is likely to become apparent 2-3 weeks {i.e.by July 25th}. following
their introduction."
"In view of the vulnerabilities of the community and the possibility of increasing infection in the London region and uncertainty of the impact of recent changes on the community; I would recommend re-evaluating the recommencement of congregational prayers in mosques from July 25th. Simultaneously a trial gradual recommencement of limited congregational prayers in a select number of mosques, could enable us to assess what the impact of further reopening might be."
The value and importance of the preservation of life has been a fundamental consideration for the Committee, with importance given to the heightened risk to our BAME communities. The decision to reopen cannot exclude the medical evidence, the moral obligation and the trust given to us by our congregations.
Therefore, the Committee's view is that our Mosques will consider reopening for congregational prayers from July 25th July with with a phased re-opening of some mosques from July 13th for limited prayers. This trial will provide valuable experience to help ensure that our communities will be kept safe.
The Committee also agreed to keep this decision under review, to ensure that the safety of the community is always foremost.
The above collective decisions are based on the very important role mosques have in our lives, the sentiments of the communities, and the latest medical advice. We ask everyone to continue to cooperate and support our mosques to ensure maximum safety for all.
May Allah keep us all safe
The Islamic
Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque
UKIM West London
Islamic Centre
East London
Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Finsbury Park
Mosque
Al Manaar -
Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
Al Muntada Al
Islami & WLICC
Muslim Welfare
House
Mayfair Islamic
Centre
Masjid Al Tawhid
Al-Nagashi Mosque
& Centre
9July 2020 / 18
Dhu'l Qa'da' 1441 AH
[END]
Click here to download the statement in PDF Format >>
[END]
Click here to download the statement in PDF Format >>
[Appendix]
Briefing
for The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London.
7/7/2020
To date more than 60,000 persons are likely to have died as a result of COVID 19 in the UK alone, more than one tenth of global coronavirus deaths. The daily death rate from COVID 19 continues to remain around 150 deaths a day since the middle of June 2020, in excess of the death rate at the time that the lockdown commenced in the UK on 23 March 2020.
The virus responsible for causing COVID 19, SARS coronavirus 2, can cause an infection in affected individuals up to 2 weeks after their exposure to the virus. Most persons, who develop a severe infection, seek medical care 4-5 days after their symptoms start. So the deaths that we witness today are the result of infections occurring during the lockdown period, in the context of enforced significant social distancing.
Data released prior to July 4 2020 by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), suggests that we remain on the cusp of an increase in the number of infections in the London region; with an R of 0.8-1.1 or a growth rate of infections of between -4 and +2%. On 4 July itself, the government put in place a further reduction of social distancing and allowed the reopening of the majority of businesses and venues. The impact of these changes in activity on the number of infections is likely to become apparent 2-3 weeks following their introduction.
One of the greatest challenges posed by this virus has been the range of illness that it causes, from a complete absence of symptoms to severe multiple organ failure. A recent survey of over 20,000 households by the Office for National Statistics, suggests that 80% of individuals who tested positive for the presence of SARS coronavirus 2 did not have symptoms at the time they were tested. This would mean that temperature or symptom screening would not identify them. COVID 19 continues to be mainly spread by close contact with individuals with the infection (symptomatic or asymptomatic); and with the environment that they are in. So the most effective route of reducing the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is to avoid individuals (symptomatic or asymptomatic) with COVID 19 coming into the mosque. If they unknowingly enter the mosque, the risk of transmission can be reduced through mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitisation, avoiding crowding and ensuring spaces are well ventilated.
As a result the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is linked to both the preparedness of mosques and the levels of circulating infection in the community. This is of concern to the Muslim community given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the community and the high representation of the community in jobs associated with a high mortality from COVID19. Any potential change in the rates of infection after 4 July may, also, disproportionately affect the Muslim community.
In view of the vulnerabilities of the community and the possibility of increasing infection in the London region and uncertainty of the impact of recent changes on the community; I would recommend reevaluating the recommencement of congregational prayers in mosques from July 25th .
Simultaneously a trial gradual recommencement of limited congregational prayers in a select number of mosques, could enable us to assess what the impact of further reopening might be.
Muhammmed Umar Ebrahimsa
Specialist Registrar Infectious Diseases and General Medicine
7/7/2020
To date more than 60,000 persons are likely to have died as a result of COVID 19 in the UK alone, more than one tenth of global coronavirus deaths. The daily death rate from COVID 19 continues to remain around 150 deaths a day since the middle of June 2020, in excess of the death rate at the time that the lockdown commenced in the UK on 23 March 2020.
The virus responsible for causing COVID 19, SARS coronavirus 2, can cause an infection in affected individuals up to 2 weeks after their exposure to the virus. Most persons, who develop a severe infection, seek medical care 4-5 days after their symptoms start. So the deaths that we witness today are the result of infections occurring during the lockdown period, in the context of enforced significant social distancing.
Data released prior to July 4 2020 by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), suggests that we remain on the cusp of an increase in the number of infections in the London region; with an R of 0.8-1.1 or a growth rate of infections of between -4 and +2%. On 4 July itself, the government put in place a further reduction of social distancing and allowed the reopening of the majority of businesses and venues. The impact of these changes in activity on the number of infections is likely to become apparent 2-3 weeks following their introduction.
One of the greatest challenges posed by this virus has been the range of illness that it causes, from a complete absence of symptoms to severe multiple organ failure. A recent survey of over 20,000 households by the Office for National Statistics, suggests that 80% of individuals who tested positive for the presence of SARS coronavirus 2 did not have symptoms at the time they were tested. This would mean that temperature or symptom screening would not identify them. COVID 19 continues to be mainly spread by close contact with individuals with the infection (symptomatic or asymptomatic); and with the environment that they are in. So the most effective route of reducing the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is to avoid individuals (symptomatic or asymptomatic) with COVID 19 coming into the mosque. If they unknowingly enter the mosque, the risk of transmission can be reduced through mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitisation, avoiding crowding and ensuring spaces are well ventilated.
As a result the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is linked to both the preparedness of mosques and the levels of circulating infection in the community. This is of concern to the Muslim community given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the community and the high representation of the community in jobs associated with a high mortality from COVID19. Any potential change in the rates of infection after 4 July may, also, disproportionately affect the Muslim community.
In view of the vulnerabilities of the community and the possibility of increasing infection in the London region and uncertainty of the impact of recent changes on the community; I would recommend reevaluating the recommencement of congregational prayers in mosques from July 25th .
Simultaneously a trial gradual recommencement of limited congregational prayers in a select number of mosques, could enable us to assess what the impact of further reopening might be.
Muhammmed Umar Ebrahimsa
Specialist Registrar Infectious Diseases and General Medicine
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