JERUSALEM: Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock – Muslim’s holiest sites – will shut their doors amid coronavirus fears, Islamic religious authorities said today (Sunday).
Officials of Islamic religious authorities said that inside area of the Al-Aqsa Mosque will be closed, while outdoor prayers will still be allowed on the huge open area around two shrines and Muslim prayers sites on sacred compound.
The director of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Omar Kiswani said, “The Islamic Waqf department decided to shut down the enclosed prayer places inside the blessed Aqsa mosque until further notice as a protective measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus. All prayers will be held in the open areas of the Aqsa mosque.”
“All prayers will be held in the courtyards of Al-Aqsa mosque and doors will remain open to all worshippers,” he added.
Coronavirus has spread in almost 110 countries and has claimed lives of over 5,000 people globally.
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