Covid-19: Small prayer spaces available at some mosques to allow only up to 10 people

SINGAPORE — From this Friday (March 27) onwards, small prayer spaces at some mosques here will allow only a maximum of 10 congregants at any one time, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) said.

The latest detail comes several days after the council announced that during the time when the 70 mosques islandwide remain closed indefinitely to arrest the community transmission of Covid-19, it will keep small prayer spaces open at 19 mosques here. 

It said then that these spaces would accommodate no more than 20 people at a time and will be open for limited hours.

However, earlier this week, the Government announced that all religious services and congregations will be suspended in Singapore as part of stricter safe-distancing measures to counter the spread of Covid-19.

While places of worship such as temples, mosques and churches may remain open for private worship and essential rites, they are subject to group sizes of 10 persons or fewer at any one time, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

In its latest Facebook post on Thursday, Muis said that congregants at these small prayer spaces must take along their own personal prayer items such as their own prayer mat, and telekung, the prayer garment worn by women.

“Those who do not adhere to all precautionary measures will be denied entry,” it added.

The mosques with small prayer rooms open are:

• Masjid Al-Istighfar in Pasir Ris

• Masjid Al-Islah in Punggol

• Masjid Alkaff Kampung Melayu at Bedok Reservoir

• Masjid Darul Aman in Eunos

• Masjid Darul Ghufran in Tampines

• Masjid Kampung Siglap in Marine Parade

• Masjid Ahmad Ibrahim in Ulu Seletar

• Masjid Al-Istiqamah in Serangoon North

• Masjid An-Nahdhah in Bishan

• Masjid Assyafaah in Admiralty

• Masjid Darul Makmur in Yishun

• Masjid Petempatan Melayu Sembawang 

• Masjid Al-Khair in Chua Chu Kang

• Masjid Al-Mukminin in Jurong East

• Masjid Ar-Raudhah in Bukit Batok

• Masjid Hasanah in Teban Gardens

• Masjid Maarof in Jurong West

• Masjid Pulau Bukom

• Pusara Aman Mosque in Lim Chu Kang

GUIDELINES FOR SIKH TEMPLES

Separately, the Sikh community is adopting tighter measures for safe distancing at Sikh temples, or gurdwaras.  

In guidelines issued on Wednesday by the Coordinating Council of Sikh Institutions, which assists in coordinating national-level activities for the Sikh community, all programmes at gurdwaras will be suspended from this Friday to April 30.

While the gurdwaras may remain open for private worship, it will be limited to just 10 people at any one time, with a sign-in and sign-out system to control the number of people using the premises.

Based on the Government’s ruling, weddings will have to be postponed as well. However, if the family decides to continue, the wedding party will be limited to the bride, groom, their parents and religious staff members, the Coordinating Council of Sikh Institutions said.

All celebrations and commemorations of the anniversaries of gurus' births, known as Gurpurab, will also be suspended.

Langar, a sacred religious practice of catering food for visitors and devotees at Sikh temples, will be suspended across all gurdwaras as well. 

Packed food may continue to be provided but these cannot be consumed within the temple premises and should not compromise the rules of mass gatherings when being distributed, the council stated in its guidelines.