BUKIT MERTAJAM: Muslims in the state may be allowed to perform Friday prayers from next week, under strict control.
This is after discussions on the implementation procedure by the state-level committee are completed in about two days.
State Islamic Religious Council president Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said the controlled Friday prayers would be held according to guidelines set by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
He said most states had limited the number of people allowed to perform Friday prayers to between 12 and 15, except for the Federal Territories at 30, involving only mosque committee members.
"For Penang, we will adopt the approach by looking at the capability of each mosque committee, whether or not they are able to implement it according to the guidelines set.
"For example, these include recording the temperature of those allowed to perform Friday prayers and other safety measures. All these will need to be looked into if mosques want to open up for prayers," he told newsmen after presentation of Covid-19 aid by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) at the Zakat Penang headquarters, here, today.
The Penang Deputy Chief Minister I also explained that Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) must be properly put in place to prevent any untoward incident.
"Religion is important but to protect lives is equally important as it is also required by the religion.
"We have to be patient in facing this Covid-19 test. Wait for the proper announcement from time to time on the implementation of Friday prayers," he added.
