Govt reissues guidelines for praying at mosques during lockdown

The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday issued mandatory guidelines for offering prayers in congregation at mosques across the country, during the strict lockdown.

They are effectively a reissue of the notification that set the same guidelines before the countrywide all-out lockdown on July 1.

Wearing masks is mandatory, and the guidelines direct the elderly, children, as well as the sick - to abstain from attending mosques.

Besides, the notification said, each mosque should have enough soap, water and sanitizer to ensure health hygiene.

The ministry drilled down to the detail of urging devotees to perform what are known as Sunnah (taken to mean 'optional'), and the ablution before prayer, at home.

In its guideline, the ministry said, the devotees will have to bring their personal prayer mats as authorities will not be allowed to lay out carpets on mosque floors.

Local administrations will take legal action against those who will violate the directives, it is added.

Bangladesh entered another 14-day nationwide strict lockdown on Friday, after a break of a week due to Eid ul Azha.