Australian Muslims 'strongly urged' to pray at home amid COVID-19 spread

As the coronavirus continues to spread, Australian Muslims have been asked to not attend Friday prayers and instead pray at home.

The Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. Source: AAP

Australian Muslims have been urged to forgo attending Friday prayers and instead pray at home to prevent more spreading of the coronavirus.

The Australian National Imams Council, the peak body representing Australian Imams and Muslims, met on Monday night to discuss what precautionary measures mosques and Islamic centres should take to try and limit the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the ANIC issued a fatwa, a non-binding legal opinion on a point of Islamic law given by an authority, advising Australian Muslims to pray at home on Friday.

“Belief in the decree of Allah does not prevent a person from taking by the means of prevention of disease,” the statement said.

“We strongly urge Muslims to pray their 5 daily prayers at home and 4 Rak’at of Dhuhr instead of the Friday prayer. This is to avoid any places of crowded people. 

“We advise people to avoid crowded places and continue to follow the recommendations of our health authorities.”

This is not the only instance where COVID-19 has impacted the Australian Muslim community.

A coronavirus-induced travel ban put in place by Saudi Arabia has also left many Australian Muslims who were hoping to travel there for the pilgrimage to Mecca out of pocket. 

Coronavirus fears also led to the cancellation of New Zealand's national remembrance service to mark a year since the Christchurch terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Anglican Church in Sydney has postponed all public gatherings indefinitely.

“I have decided that the Anglican Church in Sydney should suspend all public church gatherings until further notice," Archbishop Glenn Davies said.

"We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods.

“We shall make every effort to care for our church communities and the wider public, especially those who are isolated and vulnerable.

"I call on all Christians to pray for health workers and those seeking to develop a vaccine and to pray that the spread of this disease may slow.” 

As of Tuesday afternoon, only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are advised to be tested.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.