25 Apr 2024
Reopening of Mosques - Update
The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London
The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London met to review the
current situation on whether it would now be safe to reopen our mosques. Medical evidence
on the current risks was presented at the meeting alongside feedback on the experience of
other mosques who have reopened.
Dr Muhammmed Umar Ebrahimsa, specialist in Infectious Diseases and General
Medicine advised:
"Data released prior to July 4 2020 by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies
(SAGE), suggests that we remain on the cusp of an increase in the number of infections in
the London region; with an R of 0.8-1.1 or a growth rate of infections of between -4 and
+2%. On 4 July itself, the government put in place a further reduction of social distancing
and allowed the reopening of most of businesses and venues. The impact of these changes
in activity on the number of infections is likely to become apparent 2-3 weeks {i.e.by July
25th}. following their introduction."
"In view of the vulnerabilities of the community and the possibility of increasing infection in
the London region and uncertainty of the impact of recent changes on the community; I
would recommend re-evaluating the recommencement of congregational prayers in
mosques from July 25th. Simultaneously a trial gradual recommencement of limited
congregational prayers in a select number of mosques, could enable us to assess what the
impact of further reopening might be."
The value and importance of the preservation of life has been a fundamental consideration
for the Committee, with importance given to the heightened risk to our BAME communities.
The decision to reopen cannot exclude the medical evidence, the moral obligation and the
trust given to us by our congregations.
Therefore, the Committee's view is that our Mosques will consider reopening for
congregational prayers from July 25th July with with a phased re-opening of some mosques
from July 13th for limited prayers. This trial will provide valuable experience to help ensure
that our communities will be kept safe.
The Committee also agreed to keep this decision under review, to ensure that the
safety of the community is always foremost.
The above collective decisions are based on the very important role mosques have in our
lives, the sentiments of the communities, and the latest medical advice. We ask everyone
to continue to cooperate and support our mosques to ensure maximum safety for all.
May Allah keep us all safe
Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London
- The Islamic Cultural Centre & London Central Mosque
- UKIM West London Islamic Centre
- East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
- Finsbury Park Mosque
- Al Manaar - Muslim Cultural Heritage Centre
- Al Muntada Al Islami & WLICC
- Muslim Welfare House
- Mayfair Islamic Centre
- Masjid Al Tawhid
- Al-Nagashi Mosque & Centre
9July 2020 / 18 Dhu'l Qa'da' 1441 AH
[END]
Click here to download the statement in PDF Format >>
[Appendix]
Briefing for The Coordination Committee for Mosques and Islamic Centres, London.
7/7/2020
To date more than 60,000 persons are likely to have died as a result of COVID 19 in the UK alone,
more than one tenth of global coronavirus deaths. The daily death rate from COVID 19 continues to
remain around 150 deaths a day since the middle of June 2020, in excess of the death rate at the
time that the lockdown commenced in the UK on 23 March 2020.
The virus responsible for causing COVID 19, SARS coronavirus 2, can cause an infection in affected
individuals up to 2 weeks after their exposure to the virus. Most persons, who develop a severe
infection, seek medical care 4-5 days after their symptoms start. So the deaths that we witness today
are the result of infections occurring during the lockdown period, in the context of enforced significant
social distancing.
Data released prior to July 4 2020 by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE),
suggests that we remain on the cusp of an increase in the number of infections in the London region;
with an R of 0.8-1.1 or a growth rate of infections of between -4 and +2%. On 4 July itself, the
government put in place a further reduction of social distancing and allowed the reopening of the
majority of businesses and venues. The impact of these changes in activity on the number of
infections is likely to become apparent 2-3 weeks following their introduction.
One of the greatest challenges posed by this virus has been the range of illness that it causes, from
a complete absence of symptoms to severe multiple organ failure. A recent survey of over 20,000
households by the Office for National Statistics, suggests that 80% of individuals who tested positive
for the presence of SARS coronavirus 2 did not have symptoms at the time they were tested. This
would mean that temperature or symptom screening would not identify them. COVID 19 continues
to be mainly spread by close contact with individuals with the infection (symptomatic or
asymptomatic); and with the environment that they are in. So the most effective route of reducing
the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is to avoid individuals (symptomatic or
asymptomatic) with COVID 19 coming into the mosque. If they unknowingly enter the mosque, the
risk of transmission can be reduced through mask wearing, social distancing, hand sanitisation,
avoiding crowding and ensuring spaces are well ventilated.
As a result the risk of transmission occurring within mosques is linked to both the preparedness of
mosques and the levels of circulating infection in the community. This is of concern to the Muslim
community given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the community and the high
representation of the community in jobs associated with a high mortality from COVID19. Any
potential change in the rates of infection after 4 July may, also, disproportionately affect the Muslim
community.
In view of the vulnerabilities of the community and the possibility of increasing infection in the London
region and uncertainty of the impact of recent changes on the community; I would recommend reevaluating the recommencement of congregational prayers in mosques from July 25th
.
Simultaneously a trial gradual recommencement of limited congregational prayers in a select
number of mosques, could enable us to assess what the impact of further reopening might be.
Muhammmed Umar Ebrahimsa
Specialist Registrar Infectious Diseases and General Medicine
