Morocco Awaits Government Decision on Ramadan Restrictions Amid COVID-19 Concerns

Professionals in the catering sector, mosque officials and the Moroccan Muslim community as a whole are concerned about the government’s silence, a few weeks before the start of the month of Ramadan.

Since the recent announcement by the authorities of the United Arab Emirates of a battery of restrictive measures for the month of Ramadan in order to fight against the spread of Covid-19 in the country, Moroccans increasingly fear a maintenance of the restrictions in force in the kingdom, particularly with regard to "Tarawih" prayers.

For the president of the scientific council of the prefecture of Skhirat-Témara, only the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs is authorized to allow the "Tarawih" prayers in the mosques during the month of Ramadan. For the moment, there is a noticeable improvement in the epidemiological situation in the kingdom, thanks to the ongoing vaccination campaign and compliance with barrier measures.

As of March 19, Morocco recorded 487 new cases, 574 recoveries and 3 deaths.