Germany: Muslims ready to go back to mosques

By Erbil Basay

BERLIN (AA) - Mosques in Germany will reopen their doors to worshippers this weekend, following a government decision to ease coronavirus restrictions in the country.

The mosques around the country will gradually reopen according to some guidelines set out by Germany's Muslim Coordination Council (KRM).

Yakup Ayar, the head of Sehitlik Mosque Association, said that he was happy to reunite with the Muslim community in Berlin.

“We will take our guests into mosque through only one door. Everyone will wear masks as well as disinfect their hands. Contact information of those who come to the mosque will be listed,” Ayar told Anadolu Agency about the strict guidelines.

Ablution rooms will remain closed and people are urged to bring their own prayer rugs, he said.

Local authorities have limited the mass worship to 50 people, Ayar added, which means people will be admitted inside based on who comes first.

Ramazan Saglam, vice president of the Mevlana Mosque Association, said that Tarawih and Friday prayers will continue to remain suspended.

“Hopefully we will congregate at our mosques again,” Saglam told Anadolu Agency.

People over the age of 65 are still urged to stay at home.

Religious services have been banned since the start of Germany’s lockdown in mid-March.

The German government decided last week to lift a number of coronavirus lockdown measures, and allowed prayer services at mosques, churches and synagogues provided that they comply with hygiene and social distancing requirements.

* writing by Iclal Turan