Chechen Muftiate refuses to impose restrictions in mosques because of coronavirus

The Muftiate of Chechnya reports that it has been decided to hold collective Friday prayers in mosques as usual. Local residents supported the Muftiate's decision.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 16, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Russia recommended reducing the Friday prayer and introducing restrictions on visiting mosques because of the threat of the spread of the coronavirus infection.

Today, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been informed by the spokesperson for the Chechen SAM that the Muftiate of Chechnya does not plan to introduce restrictions in connection with the threat of the spread of the coronavirus infection.

"We will hold collective Friday prayers in mosques as usual. No special preventive measures will also be introduced in mosques. No cases of the coronavirus infection are detected in our region, so there are no grounds for concern and restrictions," the spokesperson for the Chechen SAM explained.

Residents of Chechnya, interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, supported the decision of the Muftiate not to introduce any restrictions. "My relatives live in Kazakhstan, and Friday prayers are banned in their place because of the coronavirus infection. I believe this is wrong. On the contrary, it will be better if Muslims perform collective prayers and ask Allah to protect them from this epidemic," said, in particular, local resident Said-Akhmad.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 19, 2020 at 05:39 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.