Mosques in Offenbach allowed to reopen - praying under special conditions
12.05.2020 – As-Salam Alaykum: Due to the positive development of Covid-19 infection figures, the state of Hesse has eased contact restrictions so that mosques can once again invite people to prayers. The Foreigners' Advisory Council urges compliance with the hygiene rules.
As-Salam Alaykum: Mosques are allowed to reopen their doors to worshippers with restrictions. Due to the positive development of Covid-19 infection figures, the state of Hesse has eased contact restrictions so that mosques can once again invite people to pray.
Places of worship are also allowed to resume operations in Offenbach. Friday prayers and the voluntary Tarawih prayer can take place under special conditions. Iftar, the communal breaking of the fast, is not considered a religious service or prayer, but an event and is currently still prohibited.
To ensure that the faithful remain healthy, the Foreigners' Advisory Council, through its chairman Abdelkader Rafoud, has worked out a concept with the mayor, mayor's office and the major mosque associations on how to comply with the hygiene regulations. Rafoud mediated between the authorities and religious communities in order to emphasize the importance of the regulations on the one hand and to take the needs of the faithful into account on the other. He urgently appeals to mosques and worshippers to comply with the regulations.
Observe hygiene regulations in mosques
It is essential for healthy coexistence in places of worship that worshippers keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from each other - especially when praying together. Hands must be disinfected when entering and leaving the mosque. Disinfectant is provided on site. In addition, worshippers are also advised to wear a face mask when praying together in the mosque.
Rafoud warns that the coronavirus is still active and the risk of infection is high. He points out that older people are particularly at risk of contracting Covid-19. They are therefore at high risk when they attend communal prayers in mosques. He therefore recommends older worshippers who have pre-existing conditions to stay at home for their own safety - even if this is difficult for many worshippers to bear.
In times of the coronavirus pandemic and the associated uncertainties, faith offers many people support and hope. The fasting month of Ramadan in particular is characterized by many social aspects that are firmly integrated into community life under normal circumstances, such as breaking the fast together every day. Due to the contact restrictions, however, the usual religious life is not possible.
To ensure that praying together is possible despite the risk of infection, mosques and worshippers must pay particular attention to compliance with hygiene and social distancing rules. For example, empty prayer mats can be laid out to remind people to observe social distancing rules.