CAIRO, March 15 (Xinhua) -- Al-Azhar, the top Sunni Islamic institution in Egypt and the whole world, allowed in a statement on Sunday halting Muslim mass prayers to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
Al-Azhar permitted temporary halting of Friday or congregational prayers since gatherings contribute to the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
In Islam, Friday Prayer is held in congregation at mosques every week and the five daily prayers are also preferred to be performed at mosques.
But with growing COVID-19 concerns, Muslims are exempted from attending Friday Prayer or congregational prayers at mosques, said the statement of Al-Azhar's Council of Senior Scholars.
Similarly, Egypt's Orthodox Church announced on Saturday halting all group activities and services such as nurseries, picnics, rehabilitation centers and others, excluding daily masses, over the same concerns.
The church said the daily mass may be divided into smaller services and held more than once every day to avoid crowds.
Egypt announced on Saturday halting schools and universities for two weeks over the pandemic and the Egyptian president allocated 100 billion Egyptian pounds (about 6.36 billion U.S. dollars) to face any repercussions that may occur in Egypt as a result of the emerging virus.
The country has also suspended most social gatherings and sports activities, including the football premier league, over COVID-19 concerns.
Egypt so far has confirmed 110 cases of COVID-19, with 21 cured cases who have discharged from hospitals, and two death cases.
Source: Xinhua| 2020-03-16 03:29:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-03/16/c_138880960.htm