Saint-Étienne’s Great Mosque Reopens with Strict Health Measures

On Monday, the mosque welcomed worshippers for the Dhuhr prayer around 1:30 p.m. local time. For a gradual resumption of its activities, it has put in place, under the impetus of its rector Larbi Marchiche, an unprecedented health system. "We have been preparing for more than a week to rigorously apply the prescribed health measures," says Afif Youssef, director of cultural affairs at the mosque, in a statement sent to the MAP.

It must be said that a large system motivated by the precautionary principle has been put in place. "Temperature check of worshippers at the entrance of the mosque, mandatory wearing of masks, one-meter distance between worshippers, delimited circulation corridor, individual plastic bags for shoes, hydroalcoholic gel made available to disinfect hands, closed parking lot". Three hundred synthetic carpets cleaned and disinfected after each prayer are "made available to worshippers who are invited to do their ablutions at home before coming to the mosque". Nothing has been forgotten by the religious leaders to ensure the safety of worshippers and other visitors.

But it will still be necessary to wait some time for the Friday prayer, still suspended until further notice, in accordance with the recommendations of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM). With an architecture reminiscent of Morocco and a decor in homage to Moroccan craftsmanship in all its splendor, the Great Mosque Mohammed VI is "the worthy representative of a Moroccan Islam, an Islam of moderation, tolerance and openness," the same source specifies.