COVID-19 advisory on religious activities

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) has requested the Muslim community to temporarily stop Friday Jumuah and daily five times congregational prayers at Masjids and all kinds of public gatherings.

ACJU said the move follows the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health issuing guidelines to all communities to avoid public gatherings to prevent COVID-19 being spread. 

Muslims are also requested to adhere to the guidelines stipulated by the Government institutions and ACJU due to the current prevailing situation. Masjid trustees have been requested to take necessary steps in implementing these guidelines. In a related development, the Wakfs Board of Sri Lanka too has decided to prevent "all gatherings" in all mosques in keeping with the national COVID-19 preventative measures. 

Accordingly, all trustees of all mosques have been directed to refrain from having any congregational activity, including the five daily prayers, until further notice.

The Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs Ministry also requested that people not undertake pilgrimages to religious places across the country due to the spread of COVID-19.