Muslim congregational prayers suspended amid NCR community quarantine

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) has announced the suspension of congregational prayers and other related religious activities amid the ongoing community quarantine of  Metro Manila to prevent the transmission of corona virus or COVID-19.

The NCMF so announced after discussions with the Ulama and Imam Association of the Philippines, and the Imam Council of the Philippines.

In a Memorandum Circular dated March 16, the NCMF said that the following activities will be suspended until April 14—the same that the Metro Manila quarantine ends:

• jumaat or congregational prayers
• ijtima/johoor
• multaqa and
• madrasah/toril classes

“We ask all Muslim Filipinos to abide by the guidelines set by the Interagency Task Force and by the NCMF in order for us to limit the extent of COVID-19's consequences. May Allah protect our country,” the NCMF said.

The NCMF noted that such social distancing as a result of suspended community prayer is the appropriate action at this point, considering that nine patients who died of COVID-19 frequented a prayer room in San Juan City.

The NCMF also cited the 215 Filipino Muslims who reported to have attended the Ijtima-Tabligh congregation at the James Sri Petaling Mosque in Malaysia where 197 participants were infected with COVID-19.

As of March 15, the Philippines has already recorded 140 cases of COVID-19. Of this number, 11 have died.

On Monday, March 16, President Rodrigo Duterte placed Luzon, including Metro Manila, under enhanced community quarantine to prevent COVID-19 transmission although the parameters of such action is yet to be determined. —NB/LDF, GMA News