Belgium Eases COVID Restrictions for Eid al-Fitr, Allowing Outdoor Worship

From May 8, up to 50 people can attend worship in the private spaces of mosques that do not open onto the public highway. This easing, which mainly concerns daily prayers, Friday prayers and the "Eid al-Fitr" prayers, is authorized between May 12 and 13 next, to mark the end of the holy month. In mosques, the number of people cannot exceed 15. As for funerals, a maximum of 50 people can attend, while respecting the barrier gestures and safety measures.

From the same May 8, a maximum of two people can meet or move on the public highway and in public spaces between midnight and 5 a.m. in the Walloon and Flemish regions and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. in the Brussels-Capital region. Members of a household are also allowed to go out together. However, gatherings at the exit of mosques after the "Ichaa" and "Fajr" prayers are not allowed.

Currently, the Executive of Muslims of Belgium (EMB) and the representative bodies of other faiths continue to negotiate with the authorities so that more people are allowed in places of worship. But in the meantime, the health measures put in place by the authorities must be strictly respected, the EMB said, urging mosque leaders to take the necessary measures to welcome worshippers in mosques safely. While wishing a good end of the holy month to all Muslim believers, the EMB invites them to get vaccinated.