Saudi Arabia suspends congregational prayers in mosques to limit coronavirus spread

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended congregational prayers in mosques, including Friday prayers, to limit the spread of the coronavirus, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday (Mar 17) citing the Senior Ulema Commission.

The two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah are exempted from this suspension.

The azan, or call to prayer, will also be adapted to include the line for Muslims to pray at home. This is similar to mosques in Singapore and Kuwait that changed the line “hayya ala salah”, or “come to prayer”, to “al salatu fi buyutikum”, or “pray in your homes”.

In other COVID-19 affected Muslim-majority countries, Turkey is keeping its mosques open but has also suspended congregational prayers.

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