Kuwait City: Authorities in Kuwait have temporarily closed mosques and amended the 'adhan' or the the Muslim call to prayer, to include the words "as salatu fi rihalakum" or "as salatu fi buyutikum"- pray in your homes, as the country struggles to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Kuwait's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs announced on Friday that the five daily prayers usually held at mosques had been temporarily suspended.
On the other hand several social media videos showed that the 'adhan' was now instructing worshippers not to come to mosques for congregational prayers, reports the London-based Middle East Eye news portal.
The muezzin, or person who calls for the Muslim prayer, would continue to make the call, authorities said.
But instead of "hayya alas salah" - come to pray, which is typically announced, worshippers were instructed to: "aas salatu fi rihalakum" or "as salatu fi buyutikum" - translated as pray in your homes.
Incredible videos coming out of Kuwait show Muezzin's have changed the Adhan (call to prayer) to "pray in your homes." #Coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/EP5Bf4Q1vF— Faisal | فيصل عيدروس (@faisaledroos) March 13, 2020
Incredible videos coming out of Kuwait show Muezzin's have changed the Adhan (call to prayer) to "pray in your homes." #Coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/EP5Bf4Q1vF
The announcement "as salatu fi rihalakum" has been in practice during the life of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) at the time of severe cold and heavy rains.
Though rare, but it has been in practice nowadays too in such emergencies.
"The changes in adhan will be in effect until further notice", the concerned Ministry in Kuwait said.
As of Saturday, Kuwait reported 80 coronavirus cases.
The latest development came after Saudi Arabia suspended entry of Umrah pilgrims and also stopped prayers inside the Mataf.
Earlier the authorities in Iran, Singapore and some other countries had suspended Friday prayers offered in congregation.
For all the latest News, Opinions and Views, download ummid.com App.
Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic.
"Not scared of Coronavirus": Shaheen Bagh protest completes 90 days
If NPR is done, nothing can stop NRC: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi wants NPR in accordance with 2010 format
Also Read
Amit Shah in RS: No 'Doubtful Citizen' category in NPR
Coronavirus: Singapore suspends Friday prayers, Malaysia may follow too
High alert after 10 test positive for Coronavirus in Maharashtra
70% of Germans at risk of catching Coronavirus: Merkel
WHO declares Cronavirus a Pandemic: What does it mean
To combat Covid-19, Center asks states to invoke Epidemic Disease Act 1897
Shaheen Bagh where Nari Shakti is in its full dispaly
Watch: Amid heavy downpour, women against CAA-NRC remain firm in Aligarh
Half of 'resigned' MLAs unhappy with Scindia, new twist in MP Politics
History repeats in MP after Scindia resigns from Congress
Totally sidelined, Jyotiraditya Scindia resigns from Congress
Watch: Amit Shah's speeches that fuelled anti-CAA protests across India
'When your ancesters were licking boots of British': Awhad tears into BJP govt over CAA
The Scindias: Blood proves thicker than political water
The meeting that could have kept Scindia in the Congress
Afghan Accord: Watchful Joy
Taliban, US sign deal to end 18-year long war in Afghanistan
