Male worshippers allowed to use women’s prayer room at mosques on Fridays in Sharjah

Mahmoud Ads, Staff Reporter

The Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah on Monday announced on its social media platforms that male worshippers would be allowed to use the prayer rooms allocated to women in the grand mosques in the emirate to perform the Friday prayers only.

The move comes to reduce congestion and making it easier for worshipers at some mosques which witness large attendance of worshippers, particularly during the Friday prayers.

Those prayers room for women have been closed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Department decided to make use of them during the rush times, notably on Fridays.

Worshippers gather for Friday prayer at a mosque in Sharjah.

This decision will take effect as of Friday march 26, 2021, the Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah added.

Last December, all mosques reopened after intensive sterilization programme to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Thousands of worshippers gathered at mosques all across the seven emirates for Friday prayers after the suspension lifted on Dec.4. The suspension of congregation lasted more than eight months because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Authorities said mosques in each emirate would open for Friday prayers provided they abide by the COVID-19 precautionary protocols.

Among those guidelines, are that each worshipper will have to bring a prayer carpet for personal use with a physical distancing of not less than 1.5 metres from all directions. In addition, facemasks and preventives gloves must be worn inside the mosque.