UAE announces reopening of prayer rooms in malls and towers from Monday

In conjunction with the partial easing of restrictions on movement and in order to gradually return to normal life, the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority have announced the reopening of prayer rooms in commercial centres and towers with precautionary measures, including a capacity limit of 30%, starting from Monday (July 20, 2020).

The two entities also stressed the need for all worshippers to adhere to the precautionary measures previously announced in regards to the opening of prayer rooms.

These measures include physical distancing between worshippers of 2 metres, prohibiting gatherings before and after prayer, avoiding shaking hands in all forms and sterilising hands before visiting the prayer rooms, as well as wearing masks.

In addition, worshippers are obligated to read the Holy Quran through their own personal electronic devices, such as a smartphone, to use a single-use prayer mat, which will be provided in the prayer rooms, and to download the Al Hosn app to their smartphones.

The ablution places will be sterilised after they are used by each worshipper, and prayer rooms will be sterilised after each prayer and closed until the next prayer time.

WAM