THE ban on large-scale Friday prayers in Selangor has been extended until June 30 as part of ongoing efforts to curb Covid-19, said the sultan of Selangor today.

However, the ruling does not apply to the 39 mosques allowed to hold the weekly congregational prayers but with only 12 individuals present.

A review of the latest ruling will be made in the first week of June if the number of Covid-19 transmissions fall, said the sultan in a statement.

The ruling also applies to the five daily prayers where only three of the mosques’ top officials – imam, muezzin and siak (caretaker) – are allowed to attend.

“Following the drop in infections in the middle of May, the sultan decided on May 14 that Friday prayers can be held at 39 selected mosques throughout Selangor but limited to 12 individuals who comprise the mosque’s managing committee and security personnel,” the statement said.

“However, the sultan is still worried about the risk of infection if such limits are relaxed.

“Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that the sultan has decreed that the ban on mass Friday prayers be extended to June 30 except for the 39 mosques granted special permission to hold prayers with their limited congregations.”

If the number of infections drops consistently in the coming weeks, the religious authorities will consider enlarging the Friday prayer congregations and reopening more mosques, especially in areas
classified as “green zones”.

As of yesterday, there are 57 new Covid-19 cases bringing the total of active cases in Malaysia to 1,351 as opposed to 6,353 recoveries.

The total number of cases since the pandemic began stands at 7,819 with 115 deaths.

Selangor recorded the second highest number of positive cases at 1,909 but had the highest number of deaths at 31. – June 1, 2020.