JOHOR BARU: The Johor government will allow Friday and the five daily obligatory prayers at all mosques and surau in the state during the Movement Control Order 2.0 (MCO 2.0) period, but with the congregation limited to 40 people, from tomorrow (Feb 9).
State Islamic Religious Affairs Committee (JAINJ) chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said the number excluded mosque and surau committee members.
He said the decision was made after the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) consulted with the National Security Council (MKN) and the Ministry of Health.
"In addition to the 814 mosques statewide, permission is also extended to 216 surau so as to enable more people to pray. The age limit is 10 years old and above and includes senior citizens who are healthy," he told a media conference today.
He said the mosque and surau committee members were also responsible in ensuring the circulars and guidelines issued by JAINJ were complied with, including performing ablutions at home, wearing masks, bringing own prayer mats and ensuring physical distancing.
Tosrin said prayer for the dead was also allowed with the presence of 40 people, not including the committee members of the mosque and surau.
However, activities to enliven mosques and surau, such as religious talks and lectures, were suspended during the MCO period but encouraged to be carried out online.
He said that matters regarding solemnisation, divorce and reconciliation could be held subject to certain conditions, although they are encouraged to be postponed.
The organisation of pre-marriage courses could be implemented via video conference with a maximum of 100 participants, he added.