Prayers at mosques, other places of worship suspended in the UAE

The UAE has temporarily suspended congregational prayers, including those offered on Friday, in all mosques, prayer facilities and areas of worship across the country.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments took to Twitter on Monday night to announce that the decision was taken to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 contagion.

The directive, effective from 9pm on March 16 for a period of four weeks, is based on the instructions of the Ministry of Health and Protection and the Fatwa of the UAE Fatwa Council.

اعلان الهيئة العامة للشؤون الإسلامية والأوقاف.
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.#أوقاف_إمارات
#awqafuae #الجمعة#صلاة_الجماعة
#كورونا#كورونا_الامارات pic.twitter.com/o2gDvQiPRj

— أوقاف.امارات (@AwqafUAE) March 16, 2020

The suspension will be reassessed based on the latest developments, the authority tweeted.

The authority appealed to all worshippers and mosque-goers to comply with the directive and perform their prayers at home.

In addition, the Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi has announced that all prayers at churches and temples in the capital would be suspended from March 17 until further notice, to contain the spread of coronavirus and protect public health.

The Department of Community Development in Abu Dhabi has announced the suspension of non Muslim place of worship in the emirate of Abu Dhabi.

— دائرة تنمية المجتمع -أبوظبي (@DCDAbuDhabi) March 17, 2020

The UAE announced 12 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Sunday, taking the total number of cases recorded in the country to 98.

Meanwhile, a total of 26 individuals have recovered, officials have announced.