RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance on Thursday said that sermons are allowed to be delivered in mosques but should not exceed 10 minutes.
The ministry said that lessons and lectures in mosques were still suspended and would continue remotely.
Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh, minister of Islamic affairs called on all mosque employees to adhere to all precautionary COVID-19 measures to ensure the safety and health of worshipers.
Meanwhile, the ministry temporarily shut seven mosques in six regions after some worshippers tested positive for coronavirus.
Virus cases have led to 364 mosques being forced to temporarily close over the past 46 days, with 347 reopening after sanitization measures were completed.
The ministry said that two of the mosques were in Riyadh, and one in each of the regions of Tabuk, the Northern Borders, Madinah, Qassim and Eastern Province.
Eleven mosques have been reopened in Riyadh, Makkah, Asir and Najran. The decision came after precautionary measures, including sanitization and maintenance, were carried out.
The ministry praised the cooperation of worshippers and mosque employees in complying with health and safety requirements.
Authorities will continue to sanitize and clean mosques and implement measures to ensure the safety of visitors, the ministry added.
keywords
