Jordan to reopen mosques and churches for prayer

A rainbow is seen over a closed mosque during the first day of Eid al-Fitr after the government imposed a full lockdown amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Amman, Jordan May 24, 2020. (Reuters)

• Mosques would reopen on June 5 for worshippers to perform Friday prayers
• Churches will open on Sunday June 7

CAIRO: Jordan will begin lifting a ban on prayers in mosques and churches from next week as the government eases restrictions introduced to stop the spread of COVID-19. 
The Kingdom’s Islamic Affairs Minister Mohammed Al-Khalayla said mosques would reopen on June 5 for worshippers to perform Friday prayers, which have been banned since April. 
The minister said mosques would open for Friday prayers as a start, which Muslims are obliged to perform in congregation. 
However, regarding other daily prayers, the mosques would only be allowed to recite the prayer call and worshippers would be asked to pray at home. 
Similarly, President of the Jordan Churches Council Archbishop Christophorus Attallah announced the reopening of churches on Sunday June 7.
Archbishop Attallah said the return to churches requires worshippers to abide by safety measures. 
The elderly or anyone showing symptoms of illness must avoid praying at mosques and churches, the religious figures said.