French Muslim Council: Mosques to Remain Closed for Eid al-Fitr Amid COVID-19 Concerns

There is no need to resume religious ceremonies in mosques on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, given the risk that large gatherings may represent in the spread of covid-19, the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) insists. In a statement, the body states that the resumption of religious ceremonies in mosques, which must be gradual, cannot take place on the occasion of large gatherings such as the Eid festival or Friday prayers.

The CFCM further specifies that the decision of the Council of State of May 18, 2020 does not mean a normal and immediate resumption of religious ceremonies. The representative body of the Muslim faith therefore calls on Muslims in France to consider the decision of the administrative court "in its context", as a desire to "reconcile two important constitutional values: freedom of worship and health protection". "The collaboration between the religious authorities and the public authorities must make it possible to establish the necessary conditions for the resumption of ceremonies in places of worship, while ensuring the health safety of the faithful," the body adds.

Even if the Grand Mosque of Paris has since changed its stance, after calling on the authorities to set the date for the resumption of worship on May 24, the CFCM persists and signs: "It is for the moment unrealistic to mention the idea of gatherings for the Eid al-Fitr prayer, on May 23 or 24, particularly in the regions classified as red" and this "in view of the criteria set by the Council of State [...] and in view of the still very fragile health situation".

Pending a forthcoming decree, the CFCM has invited the heads of mosques to prepare immediately for the day when group prayers will be possible again.