Retain Best Practices during Pandemic for a Safe and Blessed Ramadan Experience
Community urged to adopt post pandemic practices while celebrating Ramadan
13 March 2023
1. Singapore’s COVID-19 situation has remained stable in recent months, and we have seen the lifting of most Safe Measurement Measures (SMM), as well as the stepping down of the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) framework from Yellow to Green.
2. Congregational prayers and other activities have progressively resumed in mosques with gradual increases in congregation size in tandem with the national situation and guidance. Mosques also have streamlined booking arrangements for Friday prayer, while at the same time maintaining the health and safety of the congregants performing Friday prayers.
3. This year, Muslims in Singapore are expected to observe Ramadan from 23 March to 22 April. With the establishment of endemic COVID-19 new norms, the Muslim community can look forward to Ramadan worship activities and services in mosques this year.
Retain Best Practices During Pandemic
4. During the pandemic, the Muslim community took the opportunity to adapt and to reset itself and reconnect with the basics and fundamentals of our faith. Muslims were reminded of a key religious obligation, to take the necessary precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe. Throughout the pandemic, the Muslim community adopted best practices in personal hygiene as well as socially responsible behaviour.
5. Emerging from the pandemic, the community has realised the need to preserve two important things:
- Keeping religious institution safe and active,
- Maintaining the essence of our way of life and spirituality
6. As we exit from the pandemic, Muis continues to highlight the importance of a cautious approach as more religious activities are resuming at our mosques, and the need for the close cooperation of the community. We urge the community to continue adopting practices that made us an exemplary one, such as maintaining personal hygiene (e.g., bring your own sejadah, washing hands), and practising social responsibility (e.g., stay at home if unwell, take ablution (wudhu) before coming to the mosque). Mosques will also retain the best practice of only allowing prayer at designated prayer areas, for the safety and comfort of the congregation. Congregants who drive are also encouraged to practice social responsibility by not parking indiscriminately.
Ramadan Activities at Mosques
Breaking of Fast (Buka Puasa)
7. Muslims are highly encouraged to break their fast at home and perform their prayers with their families. This closeness and camaraderie which was established out of necessity (since mosque spaces were not available during the pandemic) are to be treasured and can be continued. For those who wish to or need to, mosques will make designated eating areas available for congregants.
Tarawih Prayers
8. Mosques will be conducting tarawih prayers for congregants who wish to do so in the mosques. A total of 98,550 spaces will be provided at 67 mosques throughout the month of Ramadan. Bookings are not required except for 10 mosques where demand is high and space is limited (See Annex A). Dedicated spaces for female jemaah will also be made available at most mosques. The tarawih prayers will begin right after Isyak prayers.
9. Bookings period for tarawih sessions at the 10 mosques will begin on 16 March 2023 and can be made via https://prayerbooking.ourmasjid.sg. Options for booking of tarawih sessions throughout Ramadan are also available.
Qiyamullail (Night Prayers)
10. Qiyamullail (night prayers) will also be conducted at mosques during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Dedicated spaces for female jemaah will be made available too. No bookings will be needed for these sessions.
A Calm, Clean and Safe Ramadan Experience
11. We seek the support and understanding of the Muslim community to safeguard public health as we perform our religious obligations in our mosques. Let’s continue our efforts in making our mosques the safest, cleanest, calmest, and most caring spaces for our community during Ramadan and beyond.
12. We thank the community for its patience and cooperation in this journey with us to resume more activities in our mosque safely. Muis and mosques will continue to monitor the situation and will make adjustments to allow for a meaningful spiritual experience at our mosques for all.
13. For more information on Ramadan, visit: https://go.gov.sg/ramadansg2023
MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM SINGAPURA
Annex A - List of 10 Mosques that Require Booking for Isyak/Tarawih Prayer
