French Muslim Council Issues Guidelines for Reopening Mosques Amid Pandemic

These recommendations were the subject of consultations between representatives of the six main faiths present in France, members of the Conference of Religious Leaders in France (CRCF) and the government.

The CFCM recommends a gradual and concerted resumption of religious ceremonies. For the Muslim organization, the resumption of worship ceremonies must take place under strict health safety conditions and under the responsibility of the organizers.

Also, the CFCM calls on the mosques of France not to resume religious ceremonies before June 3, 2020. Similarly, it is recommended to postpone the resumption of teachings in the classes attached to the mosques to September 2020.

The Muslim organization emphasizes compliance with physical distancing during religious ceremonies. "In the fight against the pandemic, the strategy that has proven itself so far is based on three elements: physical distancing, barrier gestures and the wearing of masks," recalls the CFCM. The council calls for the disinfection of places of worship and objects used during religious ceremonies.

In the same vein, the Muslim organization calls for the possible adaptation of rites to barrier gestures. "For the faithful who need it, ritual objects such as the Quran, rosaries, or tayamoum stone, must be brought from home and kept with them. If necessary, place a limited number of Quran copies with an easy-to-clean cover after each use," recommends the CFCM, for example.