BAHRAIN’S largest mosque will be reopened for Friday prayers, it has been announced, writes the GDN's Noor Zahra.

However, only the imam and five people will perform the prayers at Al Fateh Grand Mosque, Juffair, said Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.

“Every one will be obliged to wear masks and the rituals will be held under the supervision of competent health authorities,” he said in a statement yesterday.

“The aim is to broadcast the sermon through audio-visual media and enable listeners and viewers to benefit from it.”

The decision was taken in light of the directives of His Majesty King Hamad and following consultations with the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and following recommendations of the national medical team to address coronavirus (Covid-19), the minister said.

The council said yesterday there was no objection to reopening Al Fateh Mosque for a limited number of people under strict rules adopted by Bahrain regarding gatherings (no more than five people), social distancing (at least two metres) and wearing face masks as it combats the pandemic.

The ongoing circumstances suspended Friday and group prayers and gatherings, which led people to pray at home. On March 10, the council had said there was no objection to suspending prayers in mosques.

“If a virus spreads among people – God forbid – and becomes an epidemic, and human gatherings are a sure cause of infection, it is permissible to prevent Friday prayers, group prayers and gatherings, and people must commit to praying in their homes until the epidemic virus is eliminated,” the council had said.

On March 19 the Jaffari Waqf (Endowment) Directorate and on March 23 the Sunni Waqf (Endowment) Directorate both ruled that mosques could be used for prayer calls only, while suspending prayers in all mosques and worship areas.