NCMF likely to recommend reopening of mosques under GCQ

The National Commission on Muslim Filipino (NCMF) on Monday said it is likely to recommend the reopening of mosques under the general community quarantine (GCQ), but maintained that strict social distancing measures should be implemented.

According to NCMF Secretary Saidamen Pangarungan, the NCMF will recommend the reopening of mosques in the next inter-agency meeting, given the low fatality rate of Muslim Filipinos from COVID-19.

"I think with the low mortality rate in the Philippines sa mga Muslims, we are inclined to recommend to allow the prayers inside the mosque after the lockdown," he said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

"We have a meeting tomorrow in Malacanang. We are likely to recommend the reopening of the mosques especially in those areas na may GCQ."

Pangarungan said that the recommendation comes as there have been only 10 confirmed fatalities in the Philippine Muslim community so far from the coronavirus disease.

He noted, however, that should mosques be allowed to reopen, social distancing measures should still be enforced to prevent the spread of the deadly illness.

"We Muslims pray shoulder to shoulder, dikit na dikit kami 'pag nagpi-pray kami and we are also aligned in one line," he said.

"Applying the Muslim principle of necessity and emergency, I think we can relax this rule and practice social distancing," he added.

Pangarungan noted that the same has been implemented in other countries, where the entrances to mosques have been limited to avoid crowding.

The Muslim community on Monday celebrated the Eid'l Fitr which marks the end of the Ramadan. It was earlier declared by Malacanang as a regular holiday.

"Throughout the period ng Ramadan, sarado 'yung ating mga mosque and I'm happy to inform our fellowmen that this paid off, because so far we know of only 10 fatalities na Muslim Filipinos sa COVID-19," said Pangarungan. --KBK, GMA News