COTABATO CITY – The Darul Iftah’ (Islamic advisory council) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has temporarily suspended all congregational prayers in the region due to the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
BARMM Grand Mufti Abuhuraira Udasan, in an announcement on Thursday, said the suspension will run from March 19 until April 10.
“The Covid-19 rapid spread made the Bangsamoro Darul-Iftah decide to call for the suspension of all the congregational prayers, this is to protect our people from the deadly virus," Udasan said.
Udasan said the suspension also includes the regular Friday congregational prayers in all small and big mosques in the region.
“I would like to emphasize that this is temporary, we will observe the situation after three weeks and if there is progress, we can lift the suspension,” he said.
Currently, there are 1,280 persons under monitoring (PUMs) and 43 Covid-19 patients in the region.
One confirmed Covid-19 patient from Lanao del Sur earlier died at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. (PNA)