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In pictures: Saudi Arabia reopens mosques for prayers
Complying with stringent social distancing rules, worshippers kept a minimum of two metres apart as many voiced elation over the government decision to allow more than 90,000 mosques across the kingdom to re-open.
Over 90,000 mosques re-open in Saudi Arabia.
Reopening comes amid strict guidelines including social distancing of two metres
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Mosques in the country have been closed for over two months as part of the country’s measures to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Complying with stringent social distancing rules, worshippers kept a minimum of two metres apart.
They had been instructed to bring their own prayer mats and to perform the cleansing ritual, or ablution, at home, instead of in mosque grounds.
“Worshippers rushed to the home of God to perform their obligatory duty (prayers) after the reopening of mosques,” the ministry of Islamic affairs said on Twitter.
The ministry posted a video showing a mosque with many worshippers wearing face masks and reaching out for a large bottle of hand sanitiser after prayers.
Authorities have instructed mosques to avoid crowding and the distribution of food, drinks, incense and miswak twigs used to clean teeth, according to the ministry.
But some complained that worshippers were not strictly complying with the rules.
Mecca’s Grand Mosque has been almost devoid of worshippers since March, with an eerie emptiness surrounding the sacred Kaaba – the large cube-shaped structure towards which Muslims around the world pray.
But mosque employees and security personnel have been allowed to attend prayers.
Over 90,000 mosques re-open in Saudi Arabia.
Over 90,000 mosques re-open in Saudi Arabia.
