Belgium Tightens COVID-19 Restrictions: Mosques Limited to Individual Prayer

The decision was made on Friday, October 30, 2020 by the federal government and the governments of the entities, to fight against the spread of Covid-19. Regarding mosques, several measures have been taken to ensure the safety and protection of the faithful. They will not be closed, but will only host individual spiritual and religious consultations.

Individual prayers are allowed at a rate of 4 people maximum, respecting certain provisions such as arriving at the mosque in a state of ablution, disinfecting hands when entering and leaving the mosque, bringing a personal and individual prayer mat, and above all, wearing a mask covering the mouth and nose during the entire stay in the mosque, as can be read on the website of the Executive of Muslims of Belgium.

All collective activities such as the 5 daily prayers, the Friday prayer, conferences and others are suspended. During the indicated period, the recorded religious sermons for broadcast through all available channels will only take place in the presence of 10 people, with a distance of 1.5 meters between each person.

As for funerals, they will be organized with a maximum of 15 people, without the possibility of exposing the body and with a ban on gathering after the ceremony. Weddings will only be celebrated in the presence of the spouses, the two witnesses and the officiant. The Executive of Muslims of Belgium and the Coordination Council of Islamic Institutions of Belgium call on the entire Muslim population to scrupulously respect these decisions to preserve public health, it is reported.