SHAH ALAM: The Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) will allow the full use of the available spaces in all mosques and surau to conduct Friday prayers.

       JAIS director, Datuk Mohd Shahzihan Ahmad, said that the Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah had given his consent for this and for congregants to maintain one metre physical distancing.

       “Following the latest consent of the Sultan of Selangor, JAIS will issue and distribute a letter to all mosques and surau soon, for implementation on Friday, Jan 21, 2022,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 18).

       He also said this involves a total of 427 mosques and 316 surau in Selangor.

       “This new ruling still stipulates that the mosque and surau administrators enforce all standard operating procedures (SOP) set,” he said.

       Mohd Shahzihan said that JAIS hoped that the new ruling would be fully utilised by Muslims, especially the younger generation, who have been trying to find a place to perform Friday prayers.

       “It is also reminded that only individuals who have tried but failed to find a place to perform Friday prayers will have their Friday prayer obligations lifted.

       “This is in line with the view of the Selangor Mufti Department, dated June 13, 2020 and July 22, 2020 which are still relevant until now,” he added. – Bernama