Kedah fine-tunes SOP
Special Ramadan activities now allowed in mosques
ALOR SETAR: Special Ramadan activities are allowed in mosques and surau in five districts in Kedah that were placed under the movement control order, including those in red zones, effective yesterday.
The five districts placed under MCO, which will be until May 14, are Kota Setar, Kuala Muda, Bandar Baharu, Baling and Kulim.
Kedah Islamic Religious Affairs Department director Mohd Yusri Md Daud said this followed the relaxation of the standard operating procedure by the National Security Council.
“Special activities during Ramadan in all zones (in districts subject to MCO) are allowed with a specific time limit.
“All mosques and surau must be closed after completion of the Friday, obligatory and terawih prayers.
“The terawih prayer is allowed until 10.30pm only. Aidilfitri prayers will be allowed in all zones according to stipulated regulations for Friday prayer,” he said in a statement.
Mohd Yusri said the Friday and obligatory prayers were allowed in mosques and surau in all zones.
“However, the size of the congregation depends on the capacity of the prayer hall by taking into account the one-metre physical distancing regulation,” he said.
He said religious learning programmes were also allowed but confined to Maghrib lectures and reciting of the Yasin on Friday, as well as limited to a small number of people and should not exceed 45 minutes.
“Action can be taken against any mosque or surau that fails to comply with these regulations and the permission for them to hold such activities will be withdrawn,” he added. — Bernama