Restrictions due to coronavirus threat introduced in mosques of Nalchik and Makhachkala

Some believers in Nalchik and Makhachkala have refused to visit mosques amid the restrictions imposed due to the threat of coronavirus spread.

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.

Khazretali Dzasezhev, the Mufti of Kabardino-Balkaria, has appealed to believers "to refrain from visiting crowded places and from visiting mosques, except as necessary."

Gabdullakh, a resident of Nalchik, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that on March 19, he decided not to go to the mosque and made his namaz (prayer) at home. "I read on the Internet that in such cases a Muslim can pray at home," the man has explained.

During the last two or three weeks, in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, Friday sermons have been abridged, Mukhammad, a deputy Imam of one of Makhachkala mosques, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on March 19. "The [abridged] sermons were developed according to the recommendations, so that the reading thereof did take no more than 10 minutes," he has explained.

According to Mukhammad, last Friday, on March 13, the Imam reminded the believers of the importance of prophylactics. "The Imam recommended those who feel bad to wear medical masks; he talked about the importance of observing hygiene, and that no one should be careless about one's health," said Mukhammad.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 20, 2020 at 11:22 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.