As South Africa passes the halfway mark of the 21-day lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa has reiterated its call for the suspension of congregations at Masaajid.

Last month, the Jamiat revised its view of social distancing and called upon all masaajid in the country to limit the daily salaah to no more than five individuals including the Imam and Muathin.

It said keeping the Masaajid open to the general public would prove to be catastrophic in the containment of the spread of the coronavirus and it could not be allowed to become the epicentres of the spread of the pandemic.

Secretary General Ml Ebrahim Bham says in comparison with other countries, it appears that the lockdown, which is backed by relevant laws of the land, has helped to contain the potential wide spreading of the disease, limiting the extent of further infections and avoidable loss of lives.

“In as much as we would like congregations to immediately return to our beloved masaajid ahead of Blessed month of Ramadan, the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa reiterates the call of suspension of congregations during the national lockdown period.

Ml Bham has also appealed to the Muslim community to adhere to all lockdown regulations as the law of the land.

“Let us play our part in not compromising the objectives of the lockdown, so that we do not create circumstances that would warrant its extension beyond the current 21-day period.”

The COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa has so far infected 1585 people and claimed 9 lives.

Faizel Patel

(Twitter: @FaizelPatel143)