Believers in Adygea upset by cancellation of Juma Namazes

Imams and mosque visitors have reacted with understanding to the cancellation of Friday namazes (prayers) in Adygea; today, all the republic's mosques were closed. Some believers have offered to open mosques for those who have been vaccinated against coronavirus.

Because of the difficult epidemiological situation in Adygea, Friday collective prayers have been cancelled since July 23; on ordinary days, believers should use masks and gloves in mosques and observe the social distance; believers are advised not to hug or shake hands when they meet; and people over 65 should refrain from visiting mosques.

Friday prayers have been cancelled until further notice, Anzor Djeukozhev, an Imam of the mosque in the dwelling settlement of Yablonovsky, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent. "Prayers have been cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions in Adygea. Believers and Imams are upset by this but have taken this fact with understanding," the Imam said.

The information that Friday namazes are cancelled was spread by believers within Muslim groups, said Akhmat Nashkoev, a mosque visitor Adyg settlement of Enem. Restrictions must be observed so as not to endanger oneself and one's relatives, he has added. "I still think that for those vaccinated and those who have been ill, mosques should be open on Fridays," Mr Nashkoev has concluded.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on July 23, 2021 at 09:53 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.