KEMAMAN (Bernama): The standard operating procedures (SOP) at mosques and surau to curb the the spread of Covid-19 are constantly being improved through muzakarah sessions held during the Meeting of the National Muzakarah Committee for Religious Affairs Malaysia.

       Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (pic) said the muzakarah session was held at least once in two months and it was where muftis and the state religious personnel discussed Islamic religious issues and practices.

       "So, if there is anything new, we will update based on the current situation but there are not much changes to the SOPs if the number of Covid-19 infections is still high," he told reporters after officiating a Food bank programme at the Kemaman taxi stand compound, here on Friday (Sept 24).

       He said this when asked about the approval to allow congregants, including those who had not been vaccinated, to perform Friday prayers at mosques and surau in Pahang, subject to the conditions set.

       The Pahang Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JAIP) in a statement on Thursday (Sept 23) said, the SOP which came into effect last Wednesday (Sept 22), applied to all areas except those under the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO), and the number of congregants allowed would depend on the mosque or surau capacity based on the physical distancing rule.

       Ahmad Marzuk said it was up to the state religious authorities to adopt the move implemented in Pahang.

       "According to the SOPs implemented at the Federal Territory level and approved by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, (permission to pray) is only given to those fully vaccinated.

       "We leave it to the other states to decide on the matter," he said. - Bernama