The Muslim Judicial Council has called on mosques to delay opening their doors for prayers for at least another month due to the high number of Covid-19 infections in the Western Cape.
The MJC made the recommendation late on Thursday following the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week that religious gatherings will be allowed as the country moves to Level 3 lockdown on 1 June.
In his address, Ramaphosa told the country that only 50 worshippers would be allowed in a gathering at a time and churches, mosques, and synagogues would have to be properly sanitised while worshippers would have to practise social distancing, wash their hands and wear masks.
Several Cape Flats mosques have already indicated they would not be opening their doors.
MJC Deputy President Sheikh Riad Fataar says after extensive consultation with medical professionals and the Fatwa Committee yesterday, the MJC is calling on mosques to remain closed.
CALLING: Sheikh Riaad Fataar
“The Western Cape remains the epicentre of the epidemic in South Africa and to date has the largest percentage of infections and deaths due to Covid-19,” he said.
“Medical professionals who are working in the frontline and who are analysing the progression of the infection in Western Cape, predict that the peak will be reached at the end of June, after which they predict the level of infection to be maintained for a sustained period before sloping downward.
“We also understand the movement from Level 4 lockdown to Level 3 is as a result of the socio-economic conditions in the province which potentially poses a greater risk to the population than the Covid-19 virus.
“Therefore, despite the move to Level 3, the risk of infection in the province remains a major concern.
“We recommend that Masajid delay opening its doors for congregational prayers for at least another month.”
The MJC also recommended a staggered approach, starting with a small number of worshippers and gradually increasing it to 50.
He says mosques situated in Covid-19 hotspots are recommended to remain closed for congregational prayer until the situation in that area improves.
Fataar added: “These recommendations are of paramount importance as they are based on the principle of the preservation of life.”
Last night, Premier Alan Winde said there were 17 286 Covid-19 cases in the province, while 403 have died.
The Tygerberg District has the most cases, 2668, followed by Khayelitsha with 2242 cases and then the Klipfontein district with 2169 cases.
Meanwhile, the Zion Christian Church, which has about four million members, is among churches who refused to open their doors.
This as EFF leader Julius Malema pleaded with religious leaders not to open places of worship: “Do not go to church, you are going to die. It’s a trap.”