Ramadan 2021: UAE worshippers attend first morning prayers

Mosques are back open this holy month bringing hope of better times to come

Morning prayers on the first day of Ramadan at the Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha, Dubai. All photos Antonie Robertson / The National

Mosques reopened this year with strict measures in place.

They closed last year at the height of the pandemic.

But this year imams are ready to welcome worshippers in a safe and controlled way.

Authorities have provided 1.5 million social distancing stickers to places of worship and sent out half a million bottles of sanitiser to keep people safe.

Taraweeh prayers - performed at night during Ramadan - will be allowed at mosques this year.

Religious lectures will be held online to prevent mass gatherings.

Iftar tents outside mosques will not be allowed.

But the holy month has brought hope of better times to come.

Worshippers in Dubai attended morning prayers on the first day of Ramadan.

Mosques are open this year but with strict safety measures in place to protect against Covid-19.

They closed last year at the height of the pandemic but this holy month brings hope of better times to come.

Worshippers at Al Salam Mosque in Al Barsha on Tuesday offered fajr prayers, adhering to all Covid-19 guidelines, including physical distancing and sanitising.

Sheikh Dr Fares Al Mustafa, imam and khateeb at Al Farooq Omar bin Al Khattab Mosque and Centre in Dubai, said he was happy that taraweeh prayers would be held at mosques this year.

Taraweeh prayers are additional optional prayers performed at night during Ramadan.

“Because of Covid-19 we won’t have Iftar at mosques," he said.

“We will have taraweeh and two Islamic lessons every day."

Sheikh Al Mustafa, who is also the religious and cultural affairs adviser at the centre, will give daily reminders of physical-distancing rules before congregational prayers.