JOHOR BARU: Maulidur Rasul celebrations on Tuesday (Oct 19) would only be held on a limited scale and broadcast online at state and district levels, says the Johor government.

       State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi said Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has decreed that the celebrations at mosques and surau would be postponed due to Covid-19.

       “Only the state and district level Maulidur Rasul celebrations can still be held and broadcast online in compliance with the standard operating procedures set by the Johor Islamic Religious Council (Maij) and other authorities,” he said here on Wednesday (Oct 13).

       Tosrin added that the state-level celebration would be held at Masjid Sultan Abu Bakar on Monday (Oct 18) at 6.30pm where only 50 guests including the Imam and other religious personnel can enter the mosque.

       He said for the district-level celebrations, it would be held at the same time at government mosques in each of the districts with the same rules and number of guests.

       “Mosques and surau committees must ensure they adhere to the postponement order by not holding any functions in conjunction with Maulidur Rasul.

       “They should take into consideration the new Covid-19 cases still being recorded in many areas in Johor,” he added.

       Tosrin said the celebration would be held at a later date which would be decided after getting views and consideration from the National Security Council (NSC) and Health Ministry.