MUSLIMS nationwide have been allowed to conduct congregational tarawih prayers at mosques and suraus without physical distancing, which began last night.

The return to normal is in line with the transition to endemic phase, which took effect last night after more than two years of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The easing of restrictions, which allows tarawih prayers to be conducted without physical distancing, heralds a return to normalcy, at least for the month of Ramadan, which has been missing for the majority of Muslims in the country.

In Perak, Aliff Nor Mukhriz, 53, felt relieved to be able to pray at the mosque without physical distancing, something that he was so used to during Ramadan before the pandemic struck.

Masjid Jamek Klebang Restu chairman Mohd Khir Napiah welcomed the new ruling, saying that the mosque would ensure all congregants complied with the standard operating procedures (SOP) and that food packets would be used in the breaking of fast.

In Pahang, civil servant Shazli Sufi Che Unik, 33, did not miss out on the opportunity to pray with his family at Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque, Perkampungan Cenderawasih, Kuantan.

“Last year, my family and I had to pray at home, but this time we were excited to be able to come to the mosque together to commemorate Ramadan, but I hope that congregants will always wear masks properly to prevent the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

In Arau Mosque, Perlis, Aiman Haikal Nasiruddin, 39, said although restrictions have been eased, he constantly reminded his family to continue good hygiene while praying at mosques to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, the 3,000-capacity prayer hall of Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, was filled to capacity.

Similarly, at Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Muslims of various nationalities came together to perform their first tarawih prayers for the month at the mosque in the very heart of the capital.

Meanwhile, some 2,000 congregants gathered in Sabah at the Kota Kinabalu Bandaraya Mosque last night. Before prayers began, congregants were reminded to strictly follow the set SOP.

However, a retired clerk of a government agency Md Idrus Rahmat, 63, said he was a little disappointed that the mosque, which can accommodate 12,000 people, was not full tonight and hoped that there more people will attend in future.

In Putrajaya, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque saw about 1,500 congregants, who came from surrounding areas to pray, led by iman Syeikh Mohamed Chourana from Algeria.

The mosque’s head of the corporate communications Hisyarullil Md Husain said staff from the mosque were tasked to ensure that the congregation adhered to SOP during prayers.

A visit to the Mukim Kenor Mosque in Kuala Krai, Kelantan found that about 300 congregants were present to perform tarawih prayers while observing the SOP despite heavy rain.

In Terengganu, a member of the information and multimedia committee of Masjid Al-Abrar Bukit Tok Beng, Fariq Awi, said about 1,000 congregants were present with six imams taking turns to lead the prayers.

In Malacca, nearly 1,000 people prayed, while in Negri Sembilan, about 600 congregants filled the grounds of the State Mosque in Seremban with prayers led by the chief imam of the mosque, Muhammad Yusry Mazlan.

At the Abdullah Fahim Mosque in Kepala Batas, Penang, parents also brought their children after the state allowed children under 12 to attend with guardians who have completed their vaccination.

In Setia Alam Mosque in Shah Alam, Selangor, congregants began arriving at around 8.30pm for Isya’ prayers followed by tarawih prayers, while in Kedah, congregants came as early as 7pm to perform the Maghrib prayers first before Isya’ and later tarawih prayers. – Bernama, April 3, 2022.