Coronavirus: people pray at UAE mosques for first time in three months

Mosques across the Emirates reopened on Wednesday, with capacity limits in place

Mosques in the UAE on Wednesday welcomed back worshippers after closing for more than three months because of Covid-19 restrictions.

But several restrictions remain in place to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Capacity is capped at 30 per cent, and visitors must keep a three-metre distance from one another, wear masks, bring their own prayer mat and Quran and download AlHosn app.

Imams and residents who spoke with The National said they were still overjoyed that they could offer their prayers inside mosques again.

People are coming to pray because they've been away from mosques for many months

All places of worship in the UAE closed on March 16 as one of the safety measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of the virus.

Sheikh Dr Fares Al Mustafa, imam at the Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre, said there were 70 worshippers at his mosque for dhuhr prayers on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy that mosques are open again,” he said.

“People are coming to pray because they’ve been away from mosques for many months. They feel comfortable because everything has been sanitised, there are precautionary measures in place and everyone respects the rules.”

Before the closure, 2,500 visited the mosque for Friday prayers, which are still not permitted.

Mosques will remain open only from the time of azan until the end of obligatory prayer in congregation.

All mosques underwent heavy disinfection prior to their reopening.

Mohammedullah Moin, imam of Ali Salem Al Kaabi Mosque in Abu Dhabi, said only 40 people were allowed to pray there.

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai reopened on June 30 amid strict precautionary measures. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Worshippers kept a distance of at least three metres from one another. Most mosques in UAE reopened on June 30 after closing for more than three months because of Covid-19 restrictions.. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai kept a safe distance from one another. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A sanitisation system has been installed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are marking all around mosques to remind worshippers to follow safety guidelines. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are stickers around mosques to remind worshippers about the safety rules. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Midday prayers were performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Municipality had undertaken an extensive disinfection programme in mosques before their reopening on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

“It’s operating at 30 per cent capacity right now, but people are still very happy and appreciate that they can come here to pray,” he said.

On a regular day, there used to be about 400 people at the mosque for every obligatory prayer.

Sohail Iqbal, 40, a Pakistani living in Sharjah, visited the mosque every day for prayers before places of worship were closed.

He said he enjoyed the experience of praying together with his family at home for the past three months, however, he “missed going to the mosque”.

“We moved into a new apartment with a mosque right next to the building so we could pray there five times a day, but then the closure happened,” he said.

“So, we’re definitely very relieved that we can start going there.”

Meanwhile, Russian expat Ivan Knightsbridge, 40, is another Muslim who has welcomed the reopening of mosques.

He converted to Islam at about the time the temporary closure was enforced.

“The current situation is unusual but we have to be responsible and make sure we are following the rules,” Mr Knightsbridge said.

“I was mostly praying in my office and in malls, but now I can go to the mosque.”

Besides mosques, Hindu temples and a Sikh gurdwara in Dubai are also ready to open without ritual ceremonies and offerings to the gods.

Trustees await details from the Community Development Authority about the restricted timing during which worshipers could enter to pray.

Meanwhile, certain churches in the country are expected to delay their reopening as they seek clarity on receiving Holy Communion.