ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has consented for congregational prayers in mosques and surau throughout the state to be performed by allowing the prayer mats to be arranged close to one another.

       However, there must still be space between those praying in the congregation.

       State Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the order would be enforced starting this Friday, adding that each person is to bring his own prayer mat measuring at least one metre-long and 0.6 metres-wide.

       Mohd Fared said during Ramadan, terawih prayers must be performed for 20 rakaat (series of movements during prayer) while the witir prayers for three rakaat.

       “Mosques and suraus that want to invite imams from other places must get the approval letter from the district kadi (religious) office first.

       “Politicians and elected representatives are not allowed to conduct events at mosques and surau, except for Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi and the state Islamic religious affairs committee chairman,” he added.

       Religious activities such as reading and reciting the Quran, and attending religious talks in mosques and surau, said Mohd Fared, were allowed during Ramadan but must not be held for over two hours.

       He also said that over RM19.9mil in tithe payments was collected by the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAINJ) last year.

       He said for this year, MAINJ had set a projected fitrah collection of over RM18mil with an estimated 2.1 million Muslims in the state expected to make such payments.

       “The number of fitrah payers each year is increasing due to new births and also those who migrate to Johor to work and so on.”