My prayers for those who are suffering from COVID-19. My prayers for those who care for them, and for those who are suffering from anxiety during this stressful time.

Friday prayer is one of the core symbols in Islam. We are happy to read that The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA) on Tuesday announced that the UAE mosques will resume Friday prayers at 30 per cent capacity from December 4 (“UAE allows Friday prayers from Dec.4, sets guidelines,” Nov.25, Gulf Today).

In Islam, Friday prayer is a prayer that Muslims hold after noon instead of the Zuhr prayer.

Muslims ordinarily pray five times each day according to the sun’s sky path regardless of time zones. Jumu’ah means Friday in the Arabic language. Al Jumu’ah is derived from the verb ijta’ama which means the gathering together of people. This is an exceptional step achieved through studies conducted by the institutions of activity in places of worship, according to the NCEMA. The doors of the mosque will be opened 30 minutes before the sermon starts and will close 30 minutes after the prayers.

The sermon will not exceed 10 minutes. People working inside the mosque and volunteers will organise the entry and exit movements. Face masks are mandatory and all performers must bring their prayer mats with them.  

Farooq A. Naik
By emal