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Muslims in Singapore should refrain from visiting one another during the Hari Raya period, in observance of ongoing Circuit Breaker restrictions, announced the MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) confirmed on Friday (May 15).

Hari Raya this year falls on May 24, which is still during the Circuit Breaker's extended period, which tentatively is set to end on June 1.

Only exceptions apply where important caregiving is required

This is in line with the national restrictions on gatherings in public and private spaces, and refrain from traditional Hari Raya visits and gatherings across households.

Visits to loved ones in a different house, especially the elderly, should be deferred until the restrictions are lifted.

The only exception is for instances where important care-giving is required.

If you need to step outside to purchase items for your family's Hari Raya celebration, MUIS says as with Circuit Breaker measures, these trips should be done individually and kept as short as possible.

"We have to protect our loved ones from the spread of COVID-19, especially elderly family members who are at highest risk of severe disease, complications and mortality. The risk to them will be raised if they receive more frequent visits of long duration and high intensity of close physical interaction.

It is all the more important to take precautions now and adjust to the new norms, so that we can visit our loved ones later when it is safe to do so, in more Hari Rayas to come."

Connect with family members online

The Circuit Breaker restrictions should not completely put a stop to regular Hari Raya activities such as seeking forgiveness and praying for relatives.

Instead, they could be performed online or through digital means.

As Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir said during a press conference on May 15:

"And more importantly, we need to protect our elderly parents and parents to ensure that their safety is guaranteed at all times and that's why it's very important for us to continue to be responsible in the way we conduct our social gatherings. At this point we do not visit them. But we get in touch with them socially via digital means.

Traditionally we meet to seek forgiveness and to pray for each other. That can still continue. And I think in light of all the challenges that we face is important that we continue to pray for each other for strength, so that everyone is able to remain strong resilient in facing the challenges as one community is in one country."

Perform takbir online

MUIS also announced that the takbir, or the communal prayer calls on the eve of Hari Raya, will not be held in mosques this year.

Mosques were closed since March 12 to prevent further outbreaks of Covid-19.

However, it will be done online instead:

"The community will recite the takbir in their own homes together with family members, led by Mufti and various asatizah, via YouTube Live on SalamSG TV, Facebook (FB) Live on Muis FB and the FB pages of mosques."

Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, the Mufti of Singapore, will appear on SalamSG TV after the online takbir to address the Muslim community, and speak about how it can fulfil their religious duties during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Mufti will be joined by President Halimah Yacob and the former Mufti of Singapore, Fatris Bakaram.

The traditional Hari Raya sermon and takbir in mosques in the morning on the day of Hari Raya itself will also be changed. According to MUIS:

"(Muslims) can join in the “live” takbir via Warna 94.2 FM, or online through the Facebook pages of our local mosques. After the traditional Aidilfitri prayers at home, Mufti will lead a “live” Hari Raya sermon which will be broadcast over radio, and various online channels such as SalamSG TV, the first time it has been conducted in this manner in Singapore."

All mosques closed since March 12, Friday prayers suspended

MUIS initially announced the closure of all mosques in Singapore on March 12, before the Circuit Breaker measures were announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The Friday congregational prayers were suspended, and the mosques went through deep cleaning and disinfection procedures.

The closure was expected to last until March 26.

However, on March 24, MUIS announced that the closure would be extended "until further notice."

This decision was made at the time when the total number of Covid-19 cases in Singapore was 509, with two deaths.

Additional support for Muslim migrant workers

MUIS, the mosques and the local Muslim community have also provided support for the migrant workers in Singapore, who have been hardest hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Prayer mats, care packages and meals for breaking fast have been distributed to workers in dormitories.

MUIS acknowledged the workers' volunteer efforts for mosque activities around the year, and especially during the month of Ramadan.

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Top image via govsingapore on YouTube