AN URGENT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

 

“Obey Allah and His Messenger and be on your guard…” (5:92)

 

In view of the alarming rate of COVID-19 infections in South Africa, the Jamiatul Ulama South Africa (JUSA) is constrained to review its original position and accordingly, calls upon all masājid committees to limit salāh in the masjid, with immediate effect, to no more than five individuals including the Imam and muadhin, until circumstances permit a review of the situation.

 

Keeping masājid open to the general public, as normal, would prove to be catastrophic in the containment of the spread of COVID-19. We cannot allow the masājid to become the epicentres of the spread of the pandemic.

 

It is unmistakably clear that in the absence of a medical remedy, the only viable solution to containing the pandemic is to maintain social-distancing in every sphere of our communal lives. Avoid all unnecessary social interactions; limit going out of your homes to only unavoidable circumstances. Suspend all public engagements, visits to restaurants, malls, supermarkets, etc.

 

We believe that this call is consistent with the Divine imperative of obeying Allah, His Messenger and remaining on ‘our guard’ by taking the necessary safety measures.

 

JUSA has not taken this decision lightly. We have both a religious and civic duty to ensure that we through our actions become part of the solution rather than the problem. Now is not the time for recrimination but to turn to Allah with all humility.

 

We pray to the Almighty to make it easier for everyone and to protect us from this pandemic. Āmīn.

 

Issued by:

 

The Executive Committee
Jamiatul Ulama South Africa
Johannesburg

 

27 Rajab 1441 / 22 March 2020