Muslims: No change to worship yet

Local Muslims have not had to adjust their religious practices because of the threat of the coronavirus (covid19), but that may change with the first confirmed case in TT on Thursday.

Farz Khan, president of the Trinidad Muslim League, said already congregations were limiting the shaking of hands, and Islamic leaders were looking at implementing an increased distance between worshippers during prayers. After the announcement, several workshops and teaching programmes were also cancelled.

He said on Monday Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh and Kazim Hosein, Minister of Rural Development and Local Government, held a meeting with various Muslim organisations at the ASJA Girls’ College in Charlieville to speak about covid19.

"At the Islamic community level, basic advice is being given, but nothing at this point in time has been done to stop or adjust practices in terms of worship.

"I believe within the coming week some consultation with the scholars will need to take place to guide and advise the Muslim community on how to treat with the situation and what amendments will have to take place, especially regarding the congregational prayer."

Khan said he was aware that in other countries Muslims have halted Friday congregational prayers, juma, but the local community had not yet taken that decision. So far, he said, they were just asking people to take preventative measures such as washing hands and not touching their faces.

In addition to the scholars, he said they would also heed advisories from the Health Ministry and Ministry of National Security.

"If we see there is a community spread as opposed to the one case reported, definitely more drastic action would have to take place."

A member of the administrative board of one mosque in Diego Martin added that there were no practices in the worship of Islam comparable to those of Christian churches such as the use of holy water from a communal container or drinking from the same cup.

“None of our religious practices have anything as intimate or has such close contact so as to cause cross-contamination.

"However, if things get worse there may be some adjustments.”

He said his worship hall was carpeted and was usually professionally cleaned twice a year but this would be done more regularly, as well as installing hand-sanitiser dispensers on the walls of the mosque.

In the meantime, he said the mosque would continue to send out bulletins and advisories with advice and guidelines.