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Following consultation with hundreds of mosques and dozens of regional and national Muslim associations in the past few weeks, the MCB has produced updated guidance on the safe and gradual reopening of mosques for congregational worship, which the UK Government has so far indicated could be from as early as 4 July in England, subject to further scientific advice.The guidance provides mosque leaders with a checklist of issues to consider before reopening and essential measures to put in place to minimise the risk of the spread of infection. It includes a template risk assessment, key decisions to be made before reopening, advice on maintaining social distancing within the mosque, what to do if an attendee develops coronavirus symptoms and communicating your plans to your local community.

Commenting, Harun Khan, Secretary-General of the MCB, said:

“Though we as Muslims are longing to go back to our mosques and worship with our communities, it is essential that we do not rush. Coronavirus is still prevalent and dangerous, and mosque leaders must carefully plan and decide when they feel they can put the required controls in place to reopen in the safest way possible. These guidelines are designed to help mosque leaders achieve this.
“With BAME communities including Muslims communities disproportionately impacted by a coronavirus, we must prioritise the safety of our communities and focus on minimising the risk of infection transmission in our decision making. The preservation of life is paramount in Islam.
“Local coordination is also essential, and we encourage mosques leaders to implement a coordinated approach with other mosques in their town, city or borough, utilising local Councils of Mosques, regional Muslim forums and other platforms to share advice, best practice and resources.
“Regarding the UK Government’s announcement that in England, places of worship can reopen for ‘individual worship’, while this may be suitable for church buildings, it is evident that implementing this for most mosques is considerably challenging and impractical. We recommend that it is more useful for mosque leaders to invest their time and efforts into preparing for safely resuming congregational prayers from as early as 4 July, with timeframes in Scotland and Wales to be announced.”
SOURCE: MCB

The kingdom will hold Hajj for a limited number of people from all nationalities living in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has announced it will hold a "very limited" Hajj this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with people already living in the kingdom allowed to take part in the pilgrimage that begins in late July."It was decided to hold the pilgrimage this year with very limited numbers ... with different nationalities in the kingdom," the official Saudi Press Agency said on Monday, citing the Hajj ministry. The decision comes in light of the increase in COVID-19 cases around the world, the lack of a vaccine and difficulty maintaining a safe physical distance among large numbers of pilgrims coming from overseas, the statement said.More than two million people perform the annual pilgrimage in the holy city of Mecca every year, including many travelling from abroad.

The Hajj, a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, represents a major potential source of contagion as it packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites. A watered-down Hajj would represent a major loss of revenue for the kingdom, which is already reeling from the twin shocks of the virus-induced slowdown and a plunge in oil prices.It could also trigger renewed scrutiny of the Saudi custodianship of Islam's holiest sites - the kingdom's most powerful source of political legitimacy.
SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES

The UK is currently experiencing a public health emergency as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The transmission characteristics of COVID-19 are outlined by Public Health England. The transmission of COVID-19 is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and sneezing and through contact with contaminated surfaces. The predominant modes of transmission are assumed to be droplet and contact. This guidance for places of worship has been drafted based on the scientific evidence available and will be updated as necessary as more data becomes available on this novel virus.Places of worship play an important role in providing spiritual leadership for many individuals, and in bringing communities and generations together. However, their communal nature also makes them places that are particularly vulnerable to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).Through its Places of Worship Taskforce, the government has worked with faith leaders and representatives to develop this guide to enable the safe reopening of places of worship for a broader range of activities from 4 July 2020.This guidance is applicable in England alongside the relevant associated changes to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.

This guidance remains under review and may be updated in line with the changing situation. Gatherings of more than 30 people will be permitted but only in certain public places as set out in the law. This will include places of worship and their surrounding premises. There are however activities where it is advisable to restrict numbers to 30 within a place of worship for public health reasons. This guidance sets out those activities as well as how to ensure your place of worship is COVID-19 secure. Whilst engaging in an activity in the place of worship or surrounding grounds, all parties should adhere to social distancing guidelines. 2 metres or 1 metre with actions taken to reduce the risk of transmission (where 2 metres is not viable) between households are acceptable. For example, the use of face coverings.For acts of worship taking place away from the place of worship and surrounding grounds, as defined below, please follow the relevant guidance on the number of people permitted to gather in those spaces.
Read: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july
SOURCE: WWW.GOV.UK/GOVERNMENT