Oman calls on worshippers to abide by Covid-19 rules during Ramadan 2022

Sultanate places new restrictions to avoid spreading of the highly infectious virus

Nizwa Mosque, in Nizwa, Oman. Saleh Al Shaibany for The National

Oman’s Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs on Tuesday called on worshippers to abide by Covid-19 rules during Ramadan after a series of breaches.

A new set of rules was announced last week that coincides with the holy month, including limiting the special prayers, named taraweeh, at mosques only to adults who are fully vaccinated.

The restrictions were brought in earlier this month to stop the spread of Omicron, cases of which have increased rapidly worldwide in recent months.

“The ministry has called on the deputies of mosques, imams and preachers to abide by decisions announced and urged all worshipers to apply physical distancing and to wear masks while performing rituals,” said a statement by the government body.

“These directives come after the fact that some worshippers did not adhere to the procedures, including Friday prayers and Taraweeh prayers,” it said.

Taraweeh prayers are conducted after the nightly prayers and usually last up to an hour. They are performed only during Ramadan.

Mass gatherings for iftar and suhoor meals will again be prohibited, including the free charity Iftar Sa’im gatherings, which are usually held in public for those in need.

“The ministry also decided to continue banning charitable iftar tables in mosque and other public places and to ensure people follow Covid-19 measures in closed places,” said the statement.

Before the pandemic, large groups gathered for taraweeh every night during the holy month, and large iftar meals were offered in mosques throughout Oman so Muslims could gather and break the day-long fast together.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has also asked Omanis to follow the rules.

“His Majesty the Sultan prayed to the Almighty Allah to shower abundant blessings of Ramadan on all Muslims,” a statement from his office released on Saturday read.

“His Majesty the Sultan has underscored the significance of all individuals and establishments maintaining compliance to precautionary measures to tackle the pandemic, notably by adhering to instructions issued by the authorities.”

Authorities in Oman have encouraged residents and citizens to receive their second shot of the Covid-19 vaccine if they have not already done so.

Those who had caught the virus and were admitted to intensive care units were either not vaccinated or had received only one dose of the vaccine, health officials said.

Oman has recorded a total of 388,536 cases of coronavirus and 4,252 deaths since the outbreak began.

Health authorities recorded 36 new cases on Tuesday.

Ramadan 2022: Mosques as seen from space - in pictures

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  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi shot last year by KhalifaSat, UAE's first indigenously developed satellite. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

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  The Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, captured from the International Space Station by Hazza Al Mansouri, the first Emirati astronaut in space, in 2019. Photo: Hazza Al Mansouri

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  A stunning image of Sharjah’s largest mosque captured by KhalifaSat. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

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  The Faisal Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, which is the sixth largest globally, as seen from space. Photo: Nasa's Earth Observatory

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  Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi attracts more than 40,000 worshippers during Eid prayers. Photo: Maxar / Space Imaging Middle East

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  The Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, as seen from space. Photo: Nasa

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  The Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, captured by KhalifaSat. Photo: Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre