ALL mosques and surau in the Federal Territories will be allowed to conduct Friday prayers and congregational prayers from tomorrow, but with only a third of the prayer hall to be filled, said Dr Zulkifli Mohamad al-Bakri.

The minister in charge of religious affairs said this ease of restrictions was however limited to mosques and surau in green zones within the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, and Labuan. 

The proposal was mooted by the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs’ Special Muzakarah Committee on Tuesday and was presented to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for consent. 

“Alhamdulillah, the king has agreed to the proposal,” he said at a press conference in Putrajaya today. 

As for other states, the matter will be left to the discretion of the relevant state religious authorities.

In addition to the Friday and five-times daily prayers, the king has also agreed to allow for the resumption of religious sermons after Maghrib and Subuh prayers.

These will also be subjected to certain conditions.

“Certain parts of the mosques will be opened for those who want to stop by to pray, including travellers and e-hailing drivers and riders,” he said.

The mosques will also be opened to women as long as they come with their guardian, he added.

The resumption of religious activities in phases will first be allowed to citizens, said Zulkifli.

All congregational prayers were suspended following the enforcement of the movement-control order on March 18. – June 11, 2020.