11:27, 2 June 2020

KBR not to open mosques amid growing numbers of COVID-19 infections

A mosque in Nalchik. Photo: Nalchick, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37573922

The coronavirus morbidity in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR) does not allow restarting collective prayers in the republic's mosques, Alim Sizhazhev, Deputy Mufti of the KBR, has announced. Believers have met the decision of the Muftiate with understanding, but they anticipate the mosque reopening.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in April, all the KBR mosques were closed due to coronavirus. On May 18, the Muftiate urged believers to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr within their families.

By June 1, the number of COVID-19 deaths in the KBR reached 21; a total of 2903 people were infected.

The Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM, or Muftiate) of the KBR will allow collective prayers in mosques, when the epidemiological situation allows, said Alim Sizhazhev, the Deputy Mufti of the republic.

On May 29, the Russian SAM put forward a proposal to allow collective prayers in mosques with the participation of parishioners.

According to the Deputy Mufti, believers understand the forced security measures in connection with the pandemic.

While the number of cases is growing, believers should not get together, Kyazim, a resident of Nalchik, is sure.

However, some Muslims believe that it is time to reopen mosques. "Everything has opened; shops are working, only we are not allowed to gather and practice namaz (prayer)," the user abu_bakr2314 wrote on the Instagram.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 1, 2020 at 11:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Lyudmila Maratova

Source: CK correspondent