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Saudi Arabia suspends prayer in mosques, exempts holy Makkah and Madinah sites

In this file photo, people walk inside the Shafei Historical mosque in Al-Balad, a historical area in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah on Jan. 11, 2020. (AFP)
In this file photo, people walk inside the Shafei Historical mosque in Al-Balad, a historical area in the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah on Jan. 11, 2020. (AFP)
Muslim worshippers circumambulate the sacred Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, on March 13, 2020. (AFP)
Muslim worshippers circumambulate the sacred Kaaba in Makkah's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site, on March 13, 2020. (AFP)
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18 Mar 2020 03:03:54 GMT9
18 Mar 2020 03:03:54 GMT9
  • The decision announced Tuesday encourages Muslims to pray at home rather than mosques

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has decided to suspend congregational prayers across all mosques in the Kingdom, except for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The decision announced Tuesday encourages Muslims to pray at home rather than mosques to avoid the spread of the coronavirus.

A statement on SPA said it is allowed religiously to suspend all group prayers in mosques, including the weekly Friday prayers.

The Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah are exempted from the decision, it said.

“Mosque doors will be closed temporarily but they will be allowed to recite the call to prayer,” the statement said.

It also said an amendment has been made to the call in which the usual phrase “come to prayer” in the Arabic call has been replaced with “pray at home."

The new phrase can also be translated as “pray where you are”.

The statement said that a special congregational prayer on Fridays at midday can now be performed by Muslims at home.

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