KUALA LUMPUR: The announcement to end physical distancing during congregational prayers in mosques and surau, as well as mass prayers in non-Muslim houses of worship, as the country enters the Transition to Endemic Phase starting April 1 has received good response from all quarters.
However, many also insisted that the basic standard operating procedures (SOP) to curb the spread of COVID-19 should be maintained.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahamd said the announcement made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday was indeed a much-awaited one, especially with the upcoming month of Ramadan.
He said as much as the announcement would allow more Muslims to enliven mosques and surau, the implementation and the final SOP would be decided by the religious authorities in their respective states.
"However, we would like to call on all Muslims to continue praying for the people and the country to be protected from disasters and calamities," he posted on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad in his social media post said the effort to close the gaps between the congregants during congregational prayers has also been done in Saudi Arabia recently.
So, it is about time for the government to follow suit.
Nevertheless, he said full cooperation from state religious authorities was important to maintain the basic SOP such as the wearing of face masks and hand sanitiser as a preventive measure against COVID-19.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam president Datuk R.S. Mohan Shan said even though the country was about to enter the Transition to Endemic Phase, it was important to follow the existing SOP such as physical distancing and the wearing of face masks.
"I would personally advise temple managements to still follow certain rules as a way of prevention of the virus although we are fully vaccinated.
"We should take care of ourselves first as a way of prevention I think the SOP is still needed in a certain way in the temples to make sure the devotees could perform their rituals safely," he told Bernama today.
Meanwhile, Batu Gajah Sri Subramaniam Swamy Temple Dr Subramaniam Suppiah said the public should not be too complacent, but rather be more cautious and comply with the existing SOP.
"There are still people suffering from this virus and I would advise all to continue complying with certain rules and guidelines in order to be safe," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Wed Mar 09 2022
![End of physical distancing in houses of worship lauded but maintain basic SOP End of physical distancing in houses of worship lauded but maintain basic SOP](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/81646829620_DatukDrZulkifliMo.jpg)
Senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad said the effort to close the gaps between the congregants during congregational prayers has also been done in Saudi Arabia recently, so it is about time for the government to follow suit. - BERNAMA
![Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-02/81613025046_TBPelantarMinyak.jpg)
Malaysia kekal destinasi utama bagi pelaburan PTTEP - BMI
Malaysia akan kekal sebagai destinasi utama bagi pelaburan syarikat minyak nasional Thailand, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang.
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.