Islamic gatherings suspended to prevent COVID-19 spread

DAVAO CITY-All Islamic religious gatherings in the Bangsamoro region are now suspended as COVID-19 threatens to spread nationwide.

In a pronouncement by Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan of the Daruf-Ifta of the Bangsamoro, all worshippers are advised to avoid large gatherings due to the rapid spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Udasan said that all Friday prayers for three weeks from March 19 to April 10 this year are called off.

Udasan also directed the suspension of congregational prayers in all mosques.

The new pronouncement from the Daruf-Ifta was meant to clarify the confusion among Muslims in the country wether they should attend religious gatherings.

A patient recently died in a hospital in Marawi City after attending a religious event in Malaysia. He died while awaiting test results, which confirmed that he was positive for COVID-19.

Another patient, who attended the same gathering, also tested positive and is now in a Cotabato City hospital.

Both patients were part of a 215-member delegation that attended the gathering in Malaysia. The other members of the delegation are still being traced and the government has urged them to come forward.

Edited by TSB