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SINGAPORE: Muslims should avoid traditional Hari Raya visits and gatherings in order to follow restrictions on public and private gatherings during the “circuit breaker” period meant to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) noted on Friday (May 15) that the Hari Raya Aidilfitri holiday, which is celebrated on May 24, is still within the switch period.
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“Visits to loved ones in different homes, especially older family members, should be deferred until restrictions on visits are lifted, except when significant care is required,” the council said, adding that those who They head out to do festive shopping should they. individually and keep trips as short as possible.
READ: COVID-19: Haj’s plans for deferred Singapore pilgrims to protect their health and safety, MUIS says
MUIS noted that the elderly are at the highest risk for serious illness, complications and mortality due to COVID-19.
He added that long visits involving close physical interaction will increase this risk.
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“It is even more important to take precautions now and adjust to the new rules, so that we can visit our loved ones later when it is safe to do so, with more Hari Rayas to come,” he said.
At a press conference on Friday, the minister in charge of Muslim Affairs, Masagos Zulkifli, said that apart from legal restrictions, people should think about the well-being of their loved ones during this period.
“Ultimately, every visit you make to your parents, every visit you make to an elderly (person), exposes that person to the risk of contracting COVID-19. It is not just about being fined for violating safe distancing, “said Mr. Masagos, who is also Minister of the Environment and Water Resources.
Those who ignore the rules on social gatherings in different homes face fines of up to S $ 10,000 and six months in prison for the first crime.
When asked if Muslims could make their visits to Hari Raya once the switch ends on June 1, Masagos said the multi-ministry working group addressing COVID-19 is still out on what restrictions can be lifted.
More information may be available next week, Masagos said, adding that people should be prepared to continue to observe the strict rules for circuit breakers until it is decided that they can be lifted.
READ: Muslims mark the beginning of Ramadan amid the COVID-19 outbreak
The council added that it has planned various initiatives to help Muslims fulfill their religious duties during the Hari Raya period, while adhering to safe distancing measures.
Recitation of the takbir (prayer call) in mosques on the eve of Hari Raya will not be possible due to the closure of mosques in the country, he said.
Instead, this will be done by Muslims with their families in their own homes, with Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir and various asatizah (religious teachers) leading live through online channels, such as MUIS’s SalamSG TV Youtube channel, as well as MUIS accounts and individual mosques on Facebook.
“This will be done for the first time in Singapore,” MUIS said.
He noted that Dr. Nazirudin will address the Muslim community on the SalamSG television channel on how the community can continue to fulfill its religious duties during Hari Raya in the midst of the COVID-19 situation, adding that he will join former Dr. Mufti Fatris Bakaram and the President of Singapore, Mrs. Halimah Yacob.
READ: MUIS will close mosques until further notice amid high risk of COVID-19 transmission
MUIS also noted that Hari Raya morning takbir and Aidilfitri prayers cannot be performed in mosques, as is often the case.
“This year, while our mosques remain closed, Muslims will celebrate Hari Raya morning in their homes with their relatives from the same home,” the council said.
They can also join the takbir live on Mediacorp Warna 94.2 FM radio station, or on the Facebook pages of local mosques, and perform traditional Aidilfitri prayers at home.
After the prayers, the Mufti will offer a live Hari Raya sermon to be broadcast on the radio, as well as various online channels such as SalamSG TV.
“Today, technology has given us the opportunity to creatively use teleconferencing tools and mobile messaging applications to fulfill our religious obligations and even make” virtual “visits by Hari Raya to our loved ones, to keep our ties and traditions alive.” MUIS said.
He added that the community had shown “great resilience and responsibility” by continuing to fulfill its religious obligations throughout Ramadan, and would continue to do so in the coming months.
“This will be a special Hari Raya season that requires us all to remain vigilant, resilient and united,” the council said.
“We must have a serious vision of the COVID-19 threat, exercise social responsibility and keep our loved ones and Singapore’s largest society safe. Only then can we overcome this challenge and become stronger as a community.”
