UAE increases mosque capacity to 50%; Eid Al Adha prayers to be done at home

Mosques in the UAE are permitted to increase their capacities to 50 per cent, though worshippers must still maintain two metres distance and follow other preventive measures, officials confirmed.

Dr. Saif Al Dhaheri, the official spokesman for the National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority, announced that the period between the call to prayer and prayers would be extended to ten minutes, except for Maghrib prayer, which will be five minutes.

These directives are effective from August 3, 2020, official news agency WAM reported.

Eid Al Adha prayers would be conducted at homes and takbeers broadcast through visual and audio means, Al Dhaheri, said. The decision was taken after having assessed the situation and coordinated with authorities.

Dr. Al Dhaheri:Eid AlAdha prayers should be performed at home. It is important to follow all precautionary measures to protect yourself and your family. Sacrificial animals can be offered through official charities and smart applications which will deliver them to people in need.

— UAEGov (@uaegov) July 22, 2020

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that worshippers will be permitted to perform Eid Al Adha prayers at certain mosques.

Read more: Saudi to allow Eid Al Adha prayers at mosques, warns of fines for entering holy sites without permit

The Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa have recommended that donations and sacrifices should be to official charitable causes in the country only. Al Dhaheri urged the public for the same through smart applications concerned with sacrifices or through slaughterhouses outlined by the local authorities.

The spokesperson further stressed the need to avoid family visits and gatherings, replacing them with electronic means of communication or phone contact. Distribution of Eid gifts and money to children and individuals must be avoided during this occasion, replacing them with electronic alternatives.

Further, visiting pregnant women, children and those with chronic diseases who are most vulnerable to Covid-19, must be avoided.

The UAE registered 236 cases on July 22, totaling the infection count to 57,734. There are 7,038 patients currently undergoing medical care and treatment, authorities confirmed.

However, with 390 additional recoveries, as many as 50,354 people have overcome the virus.

Meanwhile, one additional death was recorded, raising the number of fatalities to 342.