Bradford’s Islamic faith leaders have called for the suspension of all congregational activities at mosques and Islamic centres from immediate effect.
The city’s Council for Mosques (CFM) has also strongly recommended the country’s other Muslim communities to follow the Government’s guidelines on dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
The CFM guidance also includes that on Muslim funerals. This for now, means that mosques will no longer host mourning gatherings, and Janaza (funeral) prayers will be performed at cemeteries rather than in the mosque. This decision will be reviewed in April.
A statement from CFM says: “We are acutely aware that our community is disproportionately at risk from the virus because of the higher numbers of individuals with long term health conditions.
“Many of the families in our community will have at least one member who may be vulnerable either through coronary heart disease, diabetes or some other form of long term health condition.
“Thus the virus can have a much more serious and potentially fatal effect on such individuals.
“We have taken guidance from our esteemed scholars, medical practitioners and carefully looked at the guidance from the government in formulating these social distancing procedures in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We urge all to take the necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus. We will review this situation and make a further announcement on 4th April.”
The CFM recommends the following line of action with an immediate effect:
- Mosques to suspend their congregational five daily prayers
- Mosques to suspend the congregational prayer on Friday
- Mosques and madrasas to suspend all madrasa activities
- Janaza prayers will be performed at the cemetery
