Mosques defy order to axe Friday prayer

Yala authorities are having difficulty trying to convince local Muslim leaders of the need to obey the Chularatchamontri’s order to suspend Friday prayers at all mosques, amid worries that mass gatherings will further spread the coronavirus.

Provincial governor Chaiyasit Panitpong, meanwhile, has called on residents to contact health personnel if they suspect people in their neighbourhoods are infected with the virus.

Yala is the southernmost province hit hardest by the pandemic. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCAS) yesterday reported the number of infections at 35, one more than in neighbouring Pattani.

But the Provincial Public Health Office in Yala said yesterday there were 41 cases. Officials in Yala could not be reached for comment.

There have been 12 deaths nationwide attributed to Covid-19 — two of them occurred in Yala between Sunday and Tuesday.

Both victims had visited Kelantan state in northern Malaysia on separate occasions, and developed symptoms after returning to the province.

The Chularatchamontri on March 25 announced the suspension of Friday prayers at all mosques and advised Muslims to instead pray at home.

Friday prayers at the local mosque are the most important of the week for Muslims. Authorities are worried large gatherings could worsen the spread of the disease. They have locked down Yala province since Sunday, when infections spiked suddenly. Locals have been told to stay at home.

The province has 514 mosques spread over every district. Thirty of them in Betong, Yaha, Bannang Sata and Than To districts defied the Chularatchamontri’s call and called the faithful to prayer at the local mosque last Friday.

Deputy provincial governor Nima Makaje called a meeting with Muslim leaders on Monday, asking that they cooperate.

A copy of the order has been posted outside each mosque which is defying the order, he said, and warned authorities must shut their doors tomorrow to prevent people from entering.

Rusdee Bako, deputy chairman of the Provincial Islamic Committee in Yala, said the panel would again tell local leaders to suspend Friday prayers.