Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Saturday announced the decision to temporarily suspend congregational prayers in mosques located in Addu City and Fuvahmulah City until further notice, as a measure to contain the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
According to a circular released by the government, the motion will come into effect starting from sunset prayers on Saturday, April 18, until April 27.
Last month, Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Ahmed Zahir announced the decision to suspend mass prayers in mosques located in the greater Male' region.
Should any other islands be placed under lockdown, the Minister previously confirmed mass prayers would be suspended there as well.
Although the gathering is halted, for the time being, mosques will remain open and call for prayers will continue to take place.
He stressed on the importance given to public health and safety in Islam, assuring that the ministry was ready to take all the necessary precautions.
The ministry further cautioned individuals to "pray at home" and avoid attending the mosque during these grim times.
Maldives now has 35 confirmed and 19 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 16 recoveries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the spread of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. The novel coronavirus has infected over 2.3 million people and claimed over 160,783 lives around the world. However, out of those infected, more than 599,997 people have recovered.
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