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St. Albans being moved into Tier 3 COVID Risk Level
Statement from the Management Board: 18/12/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
From 19th December St. Albans will be moved from Tier 2 to Tier 3 risk level for COVID. This has further implications on our daily lives, however, the covid secure masjid plan we have in place means we can continue our daily worship with very little additional restrictions. Please follow the guidelines to keep yourselves and your fellow Muslims safe from this very serious viral disease.
Guidelines summary during Tier 3 risk level
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Perform wudu at home
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Arrive no more than 10 minutes before salaah
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Wear a face mask
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Bring your prayer mat
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Socially distance (1+ metres)
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Leave immediately after completing prayers
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Do not gather in groups
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Reopening of the masjid after Lockdown
Alhamdulillah, second COVID Lockdown is to be lifted on 2nd December and the masjid will once again be open for worship (5 times daily salaah including jummah). Please remember, there will be strict controls as Hertfordshire has been put into Tier 2 – High Alert group.
We will take all necessary precautions with the recommended requirements, closing of wudu areas (- perform your wudu at home), imposition of facemask (– face masks must be worn whilst on the masjid premises) and use of prayer mats (– bring your own mats) as well as other social distancing requirements. The limits on attendance is the capacity of the masjid with social distancing. Doors will be locked when the masjid capacity is reached.
Only interact indoors with your own household, you may interact with a group of up-to 6 people outdoors
Masjid will be open 10 minutes before salaah time and closed 10 minutes after salaah. Sunnah and nawaafil are permitted during this time. Please disperse as quickly as possible post the salaah without gathering in large groups.
Should it be necessary, funeral prayers will be permitted for up-to 30 people. Please make contact via email stalbansic@hotmail.com where full information can be made available.
Guidelines summary during COVID-19
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Perform wudu at home
-
Arrive no more than 10 minutes before salaah
-
Wear a face mask
-
Bring your prayer mat
-
Socially distance (1+ metres)
-
Leave immediately after completing prayers
-
Do not gather in groups
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Statement from the Management Board: 29/11/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Jummah Salaah Times
Commencing 4th December 2020, Jummah Salaahs will be as follows:
1) First Salaah
Masjid opens at 12:00pm
Khutba at 12:25pm
Salaah at 12:30pm
2) Second Salaah
Masjid Opens at 12:50pm
Khutba at 1:10pm
Salaah at 1:15pm
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Statement from the Management Board: 04/11/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Second COVID Lockdown Announced from 5 November 2020
The UK Government has announced a second COVID lockdown in England, including places of worship. This means that St Albans Islamic Centre will be closing after Esha on Wednesday 4 November until the lockdown is eased.
We are in close contact with Hertfordshire's Chief Medical Officer who is trying to support our request for a COVID secure congregation but the government has yet to agree. Further updates will be provided as we receive them.
We feel that we have taken all necessary precautions with the recommended requirements, closing of wudu areas, temperature checks, imposition of facemask and use of prayer mats as well as other social distancing requirements and should be allowed to remain open as are all other essential service like a school.
We shall keep our website updated with any changes, but until that time, however, there will not be any Jama’ah Salaah including Jumu’ah.
We would urge you to follow the instructions given during the previous lockdown of continuing to observe your salaah in jama’ah with your families.
Should it be necessary, funeral prayers will be permitted for up-to 30 people. Please make contact via email stalbansic@hotmail.com where full information can be made available.
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Statement from the Management Board: 29/10/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Jummah Salaah Times
Commencing 30th October 2020, Jummah Salaahs will be as follows:
1) First Salaah
Masjid opens at 12:00pm
Khutba at 12:25pm
Salaah at 12:30pm
2) Second Salaah
Masjid Opens at 12:50pm
Khutba at 1:10pm
Salaah at 1:15pm
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Eid Salaah on Friday 31st July 2020
Statement from the Management Board: 20/07/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Eid Salaah on Friday 31st July 2020
Masjid doors will open by 8:15am and first salaah to commence at 8:45am.
Doors will be locked at 8:45am or when space is full. Everyone else must remain patiently outside or to return by 9:15am.
Second salah entry to start by 9:20am and salaah to commence at 9:45am
Doors will be locked at 9:45am or when space is full.
Queuing and entry via carpark door therefore no parking in the carpark. Please work with the volunteers, use the markings in the carpark for social distancing. Avoid physical contact with others and no mingling in groups.
Pre-requisites:
Bring your own Mask, Mussallah, and plastic bag for shoes.
Wudu facilities will remain closed so make sure you come prepared.
Salaah will be performed with social distancing.
Contactless temperature check to be performed on entry. Must be below 37.8 Degrees Centigrade.
For safety reasons, young children, elderly and infirm people, NHS front-line workers must not attend.
Exit after each salaah will be by the front exit onto Hatfield Road, to avoid contact with people queuing in the carpark. Please maintain social distancing and disperse immediately as you will be on public view.
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Statement from the Management Board: 07/07/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Jumuah Salaah
Masjid doors will open by 1:00pm and first khutba/salaah to commence around 1:15pm.
Doors will be locked at 1:15pm or when space is full. Everyone else must remain patiently outside or to return by 1:45pm.
Second jumuah entry to start by 1:45pm and khutba/salaah to commence around 2:00pm
Doors will be locked at 2:00pm or when space is full.
Queuing and entry via carpark door therefore no parking in the carpark on Friday. Please work with the volunteers, use the markings in the carpark for social distancing. Avoid physical contact with others and no mingling in groups.
Pre-requisites:
Bring your own Mask, Mussallah, and plastic bag for shoes.
Wudu facilities will remain closed so make sure you come prepared.
Salaah will be performed with social distancing.
Contactless temperature check to be performed on entry. Must be below 37.8 Degrees Centigrade.
For safety reasons, young children, elderly and infirm people, NHS front-line workers must not attend.
Exit after each salaah will be by the front exit onto Hatfield Road, to avoid contact with people queuing in the carpark. Please maintain social distancing and disperse immediately as you will be on public view.
Please review these instructions on Friday in case of late changes.
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Statement from the Management Board: 29/06/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
Limited re-opening of the Islamic Centre
The following provides guidelines for re-opening of the St Albans Islamic Centre for worship post the Covid-19 lockdown imposed by the government. We are of the view that the decision to allow congregational prayers with social distancing and risk control measures should provide sufficient guidance for a safe reopening.
The decision to re-open takes into consideration the government, medical, and Scholars advice and the possible risks and unwanted outcomes. As a minimum, we:
- have thought through the full range of considerations for re-opening
- are complying with the relevant regulations in force at the time
- are discharging our legal duties to the best of our abilities
Current re-opening date is zuhr salaah (1:45pm) on Saturday 4th July 2020
In Summary the guidance is in six discrete steps:
- Step 1 - Islamic Centre has allocated two Covid-19 Safety Officers (Akhtar Zaman and Shakiel) who will engage with community members, scholar Imams, volunteers and staff.
- Step 2 - A risk assessment on the building has been performed, we have looked at exits and entrances to make sure they are ready to cope with any emergencies but still apply control.
- Step 3 – We have estimated a ‘new capacity’ to ensure people can be kept one - two metres apart during prayer. Attendees to bring their own prayer mats and caps. Friday and Eid will require multiple jamaats so outside queuing with social distancing will be required.
- Step 4 –Request PPE to be worn on the premises. People must bring face covers (masks) and plastic bags for their shoes. Islamic centre to have some bags and masks available for a small donation. Hand sanitiser will be provided.
- Step 5 - Ensure people are compliant with the social distancing measures, guiding people in and out of the Centre. People must disperse in a controlled manner, immediately after fardh prayers.
- Step 6 – If you have questions or concerns contact the Covid Safety Officers.
Instructions:
Please note any kind of public gathering carries Covid-19 risk, so follow instructions carefully and act responsibly. Non-compliance with guidance will force the mosque to be closed again.
- Perform wudu at home as facility in mosque will remain closed is closed and perform any non-obligatory prayers at home too.
- Doors will open 10 minutes before fardh salaah time. Please do not crowd outside the mosque and keep your distance when queuing.
- Bring your own prayer mats and caps to use and take back home.
- Wear a face covering (mask)
- Bring a plastic bag for your shoes.
- Please be patient during social distanced entry and exit. Mosque doors will open 10 minutes before salaah, and closed immediately after congregation leaves.
- You will be asked to queue in the car park with social distancing as marked.
- Entry will be from rear car park doors.
- Mosque doors will be locked when salaah starts.
- Please help us to help you and follow the guidance which is for your well-being.
- A temperature check will be made on entry (37.8C or higher is considered unacceptable and entry will be politely declined).
- Vulnerable community members are encouraged not to attend (i.e. sick, high risk, frontline healthcare worker).
- Initial opening of mosque on 4th July will be for people between the ages of 12 and 70 years only.
- Social distancing will apply during salaah, please follow instructions.
- Friday prayers will be conducted multiple times in smaller groups and sermons will be kept as short as possible. Maximum capacity of 120 people to be accommodated per jamaat to keep 1m+ social distancing. *Prayer times will be provided nearer the time.
- Qurans and tasbeeh beads will not be made available.
Services considered:
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Services to Opened
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Notes / Comments/ Conditions
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Wudhu/Toilet Facilities
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Stay closed for initial re-opening
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Daily Prayers
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Fardh prayers only with distancing, own prayer mat, some PPE, hand sanitiser to be available, open 10 minutes before and close immediately after.
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Friday (Jumuah) Prayers
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Fardh prayers only with distancing, multiple sessions, maximum capacity 150 people. Plus as per daily prayers
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Funeral Wash Facilities
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Open for non-Covid cases. Only 4 family members and with appropriate distancing
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Funeral (Janazah) Prayers
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As per government guidelines on numbers
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Quran Recital / Study
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Should be done at home
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Children’s Classes
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Not to open immediately but phase in, following a successful re-opening
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Lectures
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None
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Individual/group Bookings
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None
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School Visits
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None
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Marriages /Nikahs
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As per government guidelines with social distancing (30 people)
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Ladies Prayer Facilities
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Not compulsory for Ladies so will remain closed
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Ladies Jumuah Facilities
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Attendance not compulsory for Ladies so will remain closed
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Salaah Timetables
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Available online, printed copies made available at the mosque.
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Consultation with Imam
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On a case by case basis, appointments with appropriate distancing
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Trustees Meetings
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Mainly virtual, follow distancing and protection guidelines for any in person meetings especially for re-opening activity
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General Cleaning
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All entrance/exit touch points to be disinfected at each salaah. General cleaning to be applied regularly.
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A more detailed guidance document is available to the Volunteers to help enforce the safe re-opening.
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Statement from the Management Board: 09/06/2020
Assalamu alaikum,
The Mosques in St Albans will not be reopening with other places of worship on June 15 even though the Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced on June 7, that places of worship will be permitted to open on June 15 for individual prayer only and with social distancing measures in place.
We are of the view that the decision does not go far enough in accommodating the religious requirements of the Muslim community and other faith groups for whom a Mosque or a public place of worship’s primary purpose is to facilitate led congregational or communal prayers.
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