HRH Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah during the Briefing and Discussion Session on Mosque and Surau Activities in Perak.

IPOH, 23 March 2022 – HRH Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah has consented to allow all mosques and suraus in Perak to hold congregational prayers without physical distancing according to the capacity of the premises from 1 April.

HRH Sultan Nazrin Shah said the step was in line with the Endemic Transition Phase throughout the country beginning on that date.

"Starting with the Friday subuh prayers (1 April), obligatory prayers, Friday prayers and funeral prayers can be performed without physical distancing between congregants, and the number of congregants allowed depending on the size of the mosque or surau.

"However, in order to protect the safety of students, especially those in boarding schools, principals of schools and educational centres, whether universities, institutions or colleges, are given the discretion to hold Friday prayers in suraus, buildings or areas around their respective institutions,” he said.

His Royal Highness said this during the Briefing Session on Mosque and Surau Activities in Perak’s Transition to Endemic Phase at the State Secretariat Building here.

Also present were Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad, State Secretary Dato’ Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, Orang Kaya Bendahara Seri Maharaja Jen. Dato’ Seri Diraja Tan Sri (Dr.) Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, MAIPk President Dato' Seri Mohd Annuar Zaini and State Executive Council members.

HRH Sultan Nazrin said mosque committees and officials are allowed to use their discretion to determine the number of rakaat tarawih prayers deemed reasonable in their respective mosques and suraus.

He added that this could be done with the aim of minimising the risk of infection during this transition period, although Perak usually set 20 rakaat tarawih prayers during Ramadan.

“This can be done with the aim of minimising the risk of infection during this transition period, although Perak usually set 20 rakaat tarawih prayers during Ramadan.

"To minimise the period of exposure of the congregants in a closed building, the tazkirah allowed after the witir prayers during Ramadan should not exceed 30 minutes," he said.

HRH Sultan Nazrin further explained that qiamullail and iktikaf programmes at night in mosques and suraus are allowed by taking infection prevention measures based on the advice of the Health Department. Tadarus Al-Quran, lectures and religious classes are also allowed in mosques and suraus.

Breaking fast meals, moreh and sahur meals in mosques and suraus are allowed with prepacked food and meals served publicly are not allowed, especially after tarawih.

“The District Religious Administrative Officer, after consulting and obtaining the consent of the Territorial Chief or District Officer can issue a suspension order for any mosque and surau from the SOP relaxation and impose SOP rules for a specific period if the COVID-19 infection in the area concerned is considered critical.

"All activities, management and effect on matters allowed today are to be monitored and presented to him regularly" he said.

He said the summary results of this initial relaxation would be the determinant and guide to the activities that would be allowed for Hari Raya, which he would announce at the appropriate time, after being satisfied that the risk of infection had been minimised and effectively curbed.

"I understand the people's hopes, but the people need to adopt the culture of “no pain, no gain”. Be thankful for what has been allowed currently, which is far better than what has been experienced in the last two Ramadans.

"People should be grateful for the rainbow of hope on the horizon. Hopefully, this rainbow of hope will be followed by a brighter ray of light by Syawal, so that Aidilfitri can be celebrated in a livelier atmosphere,” he said.

At the same time, HRH Sultan Nazrin was mindful that the percentage of people in Perak who received booster doses was still low, especially among the rural population and Muslims.

“The Territorial Chief and District Religious Administration Officer play an active role in making the rural people aware of the importance of boosting the body’s immunity against COVID-19 virus.

"Where appropriate, injections can be done at the mosque and surau compounds," the Sultan said.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.