French Mosques to Reopen Gradually Under Strict COVID-19 Protocols

The second wave of new infections has again led to the closure of mosques throughout France. In a press release, the CFCM indicated that it had discussed with other religious leaders in France to defend the exercise of worship.

According to Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the CFCM, the resumption of worship will be gradual and in accordance with the recommendations of the medical and scientific authorities and the phases announced by the Head of State in his speech on November 24. The first phase is scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 28, 2020 with the resumption of collective prayers for 30 people while respecting the distancing measure and other barrier gestures.

This limitation could be lifted as early as December 15. As for the distancing measure, the CFCM proposes the rule of one person per 4m² instead of 1m distance, observed since the beginning of the crisis.

The CFCM also recommended postponing the Friday prayer until further notice. As for the 5 daily prayers, the Council has also invited the mosques to postpone the daily prayers until December 15, 2020, the date of the second phase of deconfinement. For the CFCM, the health situation remains critical despite some improvements. In this regard, it has called on citizens to be "extremely vigilant".