Instruction of the Islamic Community in BiH regarding prayers and Friday prayers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina has issued an instruction to all meshats, muftiates, and umbrella organizations in the homeland, home countries, and diaspora on adhering to the guidelines of competent state authorities for suppressing the spread of coronavirus. This means that all gatherings will be organized according to the instructions of competent state authorities, i.e., all mass gatherings will be suspended, and Friday prayers will be organized only in numbers recommended by the competent authorities of each country individually.

The Islamic Community appeals to all persons from risk groups, as defined in the recommendations of competent state authorities, to perform daily prayers at home, and to perform the noon prayer at home instead of the Friday prayer. The instruction also appeals to all bodies of the Islamic Community, from local committees to the administration of educational institutions, to ensure additional sanitary measures to enhance cleanliness of both premises and visitors.

Finally, it is once again appealed to all members of the Islamic Community to adhere to the principles of personal and respiratory hygiene, which are deeply rooted in Muslim tradition and Islamic teachings through ablution, ritual bathing, and regular hand washing, etc., but also to follow the instructions and recommendations of the competent ministries.