Morocco Considers Reopening Mosques for Ramadan Tarawih Prayers Amid Improving COVID Situation

Will the Tarawih prayers take place this year? "The mosques should open for the Tarawihs during the month of Ramadan, but under conditions," estimates Dr. Tayeb Hamdi, a physician and researcher in health policies and systems, in an interview with Hespress. However, he recommends reducing the number of worshippers participating in these prayers in these enclosed spaces, which are the cause of 95% of virus infections. "I see no reason to ban the Tarawih. We must allow people to go to the mosques but under several conditions to avoid contamination," he says.

"The mosques should not be crowded with a limited number inside. It would be advisable to allow people to pray outside in the open air if the authorities allow it," adds the specialist, while insisting on strict compliance with barrier gestures. According to him, there is no need to impose a vaccination pass at the entrance to the mosque. Instead, he recommends encouraging people to get vaccinated, especially the third dose.

"The epidemiological situation in Morocco is improving significantly. However, the slowdown in vaccination at the level of the 3rd dose can be worrying, particularly for people aged 60 and over, 2.5 million of whom have not yet benefited from this vaccine dose. This is a short-term and medium-term risk," argues Dr. Tayeb Hamdi.