The Wakf Board of Sri Lanka under which all mosques in the country are registered with, has extended the directions which have prevailed in the country thus far including the closure of mosques and prohibition of the distribution of food such as porridge, particularly during the month of Ramadan.
In a communique signed by A.B.M Ashraff, the Director of the Muslim Mosques and Charitable Trusts or Wakfs while wishing Muslims for Ramadan which is due to begin this week, said that the notice given by the board on March 15th will continue.
Accordingly, the trustees of all mosques have been strictly directed not to open the mosque for the public but only for the Imam who will sound the call of the prayer. There will not be any congregational prayers including the five times prayers as well as Jummah and Tharaweeh prayers.
In addition to this, they have also urged not to host congregational activity such as Iftar programs within the mosque and lastly to not prepare or distribute porridge (Kanji) in the masjid or its premises, which is a customary practice in Sri Lanka.
The trustees have been requested to notify the Jamaath of these guidelines as well as to educate and encourage people to adhere to these instructions as well as the guidelines given by the health and defense authorities in the country in relation to combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
(dailynews.lk)