AS RAMADAN began Friday, April 24, the Department of Health (DOH) asked Filipino Muslims to stay away from mosques and prayer rooms in view of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
In a televised press briefing Thursday, April 23, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they are asking Muslims to temporarily forego their tradition of community prayer due to the continuing threat of Covid-19.
"We are encouraging our Muslim brothers to just stay and pray in their respective homes for the whole Ramadan season and the enhanced community quarantine so that we can stop the spread of Covid-19," said Vergeire.
She noted that the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos has already issued a memorandum order suspending Taraweeh or community prayer in mosques in observance of Ramadan.
"Although hard, the DOH supoorts this move due to the prevailing enhanced community quarantine," said Vergeire.
Also while praying at home, the health official asked Muslims to continue practicing safety precautions.
"Let us follow existing ECQ protocols, such as physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and proper cough etiquette," said Vergeire. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)