Islamic experts associate safe mosque visits in Caucasus with self-discipline

The compliance with the sanitary standards in the opening mosques depends on the social responsibility of believers, note Islamic experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot". Imams will monitor the situation to ensure that believers wear masks and maintain social distancing, the Muftiate of Ingushetia reports.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on May 29, the Spiritual Administration of Muslims (SAM) of Russia proposed resuming collective prayers in mosques, suspended earlier because of the spread of the coronavirus infection. The Muftiates of Chechnya and Ingushetia decided to open mosques starting from June 12, while the religious leaders of Kabardino-Balkaria rejected opening mosques until the epidemiological situation improved.

The compliance with the sanitary standards, including maintaining of social distancing between believers, will be entrusted to imams of mosques, explained Magomed Khashtyrov, the acting Mufti of Ingushetia. "Believers will have to wear masks inside mosques. Wearing a mask will be mandatory, as well as maintaining social distancing," Magomed Khashtyrov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

According to advocate and Islamic expert Leonid Syukiyainen, Professor at the Higher School of Economics, it is possible for believers to comply with the necessary sanitary standards, both while praying in a mosque and while praying in open areas. "Self-discipline will encourage believers to maintain social distancing inside mosques. It is acceptable to engage special people who will stand at entrances to mosques and warn believers about the need to observe safety measures, explain the meaning of those measures, and also monitor compliance with them," noted Leonid Syukiyainen.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on June 9, 2020 at 03:58 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.