Morocco Delays Mosque Reopenings Amid COVID-19 Concerns, Minister Says

The ongoing measure is "temporary and prayers will resume in the mosques as soon as the competent authorities have decided that the health situation is normalized," the Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs reassured at the outset. This was during a meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Islamic Affairs and Moroccans Residing Abroad at the House of Representatives. The session was devoted to examining the measures taken by the ministry to strengthen and supervise the religious guidance of citizens within the framework of the coronavirus pandemic.

Concerns at the House of Representatives also focused on the pilgrimage. The minister noted that "Morocco has no official notification or communication from the Saudi Ministry of Hajj regarding what will happen in the coming days". However, he mentioned the existence of a "letter from the Saudi Minister, in March, asking to wait before concluding a contract". He added that "the pilgrimage requires a lot of organization, measures and time and that everything depends on the decision of the Saudi authorities".

As for the Eid Al Adha feast, which many voices are calling to cancel, given the health situation in the country, the minister indicated that it is still "early to talk about this ritual, because we do not know what tomorrow will bring". Addressing the issue of the legal alms (Zakat Al Fitr), he explained that it is, like prayer, a "financial obligation that every Muslim must pay in accordance with Sharia", except that its regulation remains a matter decided by King Mohammed VI.

Ahmed Taoufik took the opportunity to speak out on the spread of fake news, especially on religious issues. He called on the population to rely on information from official sources, noting that the ministry remains open to any suggestions in order to get through this crisis that has led to "the closure of 52,000 mosques, about 1,500 Zaouia, more than 5,000 shrines, 14,000 Koranic establishments and schools and the University of Al Quaraouiyine".

It should also be noted "the ban on gatherings for literacy courses in 7,077 mosques and the suspension of the activities of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema and the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Promotion of Social Works of Religious Officials".