Staying Vigilant While Celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri
MEDIA RELEASE
7 May 2021
1. Singapore has tightened COVID-19 measures, given the rise in community cases and the emergence of new virus variants in the community. This new wave of transmission highlights the continued and possibly higher risk of infection even as we press ahead with vaccination. It is therefore crucial that all of us remain vigilant and observe the safe distancing measures over the next few weeks of heightened alert to minimise community spread.
2. We are now in the last week of Ramadan, a time when our community steps up its religious activities and looks forward to celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri on 13 May with our loved ones. We are thankful that more activities are allowed during this year’s Hari Raya as compared to last year. So it is important that we continue to keep our loved ones, especially our elderly safe, by carrying out these festive activities in a safe and responsible manner.
3. MTF has announced that congregational and other worship services must implement pre-event testing for services involving more than 100 and up to 250 attendees at any one time. Muis will study the feasibility of implementing the pre-event testing procedures at our mosques, given the cost and operational considerations involved, to allow for larger congregational prayers (i.e. up to 250 spaces).
Booking of Hari Raya Prayer
4. Booking for Hari Raya Prayer will open on Tuesday, 11th May 2021 at 10am. Bookings can be made via https://ourmosques.commonspaces.sg or the Muslim.sg app. The number of available places at each mosque will be reflected in the online mosque booking system.
5. We would like to remind congregants who are unwell or unable to attend the prayer session to cancel their booking so that others can have the opportunity to book a space.
Eve of Hari Raya
6. On the eve of Hari Raya, Mufti will lead a group of asatizah in the Takbir Raya. This will be broadcast live on SalamSG TV.
The Morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri
7. On the morning of Hari Raya, mosques will conduct congregational Hari Raya prayers with the full safe management measures in place. Each mosque will hold three prayer sessions. Each session will be limited to 100 congregants, in 2 zones of 50 persons each. The prayer slots can be booked via the online mosque booking system. SalamSG TV will broadcast Mufti’s Aidilfitri sermon, so as to help those who are unable to attend Hari Raya prayer at the mosque.
8. For those conducting Hari Raya prayers at home with their families, Muis has made available various resources at www.muslim.sg
Hari Raya Period
9. To be socially responsible, everyone should adopt the following precautions during the Hari Raya period:
a. Limit to 2 social gatherings or home visitations per day
b. Households should receive no more than 5 unique visitors each day
c. Practise the 'Salam Mufti', where one places their hand close to their hearts as a greeting symbol
d. Keep masks on when visiting relatives and friends in their homes, when not consuming food and drink
e. Avoid sharing of food with others, and consuming individual portions
f. Stay home if unwell, and see a doctor to get tested when sick; and
g. Avoid going to crowded places, and stay home where possible
10. To further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, we strongly encourage everyone to minimise their physical gatherings and instead connect digitally with their family and friends wherever possible during the Hari Raya festivities.
11. Commenting on the prospect of celebrating Hari Raya during heightened measures once again, Mufti of Singapore, Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir urges the Muslim community to reflect on the training that the community has gone through over the past year, and how it has prepared the community to face more challenges.
"Our community has shown great resilience and responsibility throughout Ramadan in fulfilling our religious obligations. Understandably, many are sad and disappointed, but the new and more contagious variant is a grim reminder that we are still in a pandemic situation. Let us make this Hari Raya season a very safe one where we are vigilant, resilient and united. When we follow the safety measures, we are keeping our society and our country safe. As we do so, others will recognise our religion as a religion that protects the well-being of others. This is our contribution that is in keeping with the spirit of ihsan and kindness which we learn in the month of Ramadan."
12. Muis will continue to monitor the situation and provide further advisories should more adjustments are needed to manage the situation. Let us continue working together to keep Singapore safe.
MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA
