TAPAH: Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Friday prayers and congregational Muslim prayers during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period is expected to be announced on Thursday, Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) said the SOPs will be further discussed and scrutinised in a meeting with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin later today.
"I want to discuss it today so that we can bring it to the Cabinet meeting tomorrow," he told a press conference at the Ramadan Musaadah Inspiration Programme organised by the Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YaPEIM) here, today.
Zulkifli said the views collected from the meetings will then be presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Conference of Rulers and religious authorities.
"That is our procedure, and we will always consider suggestions from the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC) in formulating the SOPs," he said.
When asked about Perlis' decision to allow conditional Friday prayers beginning May 15, Zulkifli said the matter is under the state's jurisdiction.
On Aidilfitri prayers, Zulkifli said the ministry will specifically discuss the matter soon.
Meanwhile, in Kuantan, the Pahang state government said it will present its proposed SOPs to allow Muslims to perform congregational prayers during the CMCO, to the National Security Council and the state's Health Department.
State Religious Affairs, Education and Health Committee chairman Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Ahmad said the health and safety of the people remains a top priority in outlining the SOPs so that no new transmission of Covid-19 would emerge.
"The SOPs, among others, would limit the congregational prayers to low-risk individuals. We also plan to make registration compulsory to prevent people at risk from joining the prayers," he said, adding that those who want to join the prayers must bring their own prayer mats and wear face masks.
Pahang had postponed all religious activities, including Friday prayers in mosques, following the enforcement of the MCO on March 18 to contain the spread of Covid-19. – BERNAMA