Coronavirus: UAE mosques to close 'immediately' after each prayer

New set of timings for mosques across the Emirates has been issued by the Islamic authority

Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai reopened on June 30 amid strict precautionary measures. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Worshippers kept a distance of at least three metres from one another. Most mosques in UAE reopened on June 30 after closing for more than three months because of Covid-19 restrictions.. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Midday prayers are performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Worshippers at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai kept a safe distance from one another. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A worshipper prays at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A sanitisation system has been installed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are marking all around mosques to remind worshippers to follow safety guidelines. Chris Whiteoak / The National

There are stickers around mosques to remind worshippers about the safety rules. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Midday prayers were performed at Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Dubai. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Dubai Municipality had undertaken an extensive disinfection programme in mosques before their reopening on Wednesday. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Strict new operational hours for mosques in the UAE have been announced, two days after they were reopened nationwide.

Mosques will be required to close immediately after each prayer, they can open only five minutes prior to the adhan – the call to prayer – and the duration of the prayer should last from seven to 10 minutes.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awqaf UAE) issued the new timings on their social media channels on July 2.

Places of worship were closed on March 16 to prevent the spread of the Covid-19, but were allowed to reopen on July 1 under strict measures.

The federal authority also said that the time between the first call to prayer and the second one should not exceed five minutes.

For Fajr prayers, ten minutes of waiting will be allowed between the first Adhan and the second one.

“Friday prayers continue to be suspended in mosques until further notice,” said Awqaf UAE.

It was also stressed that mosques should remain closed at the time of the Friday prayer.

Mosques are allowed to operate with a capacity of 30 per cent, while worshippers should perform ablution at home before attending the mosque for prayer.

Worshippers are required to keep a distance of at least three metres from one another, wear face masks and should not partake in intimate greetings.

They should bring their own copy of the Quran and have the Al Hosn app downloaded on their mobile phones.