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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 4^th 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 65 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:

Services to Opened	Notes / Comments/ Conditions
Wudhu/Toilet Facilities	Stay closed for initial re-opening
Daily Prayers	Fardh prayers only with distancing, own prayer mat, some PPE, hand sanitiser to be available, open 10 minutes before and close immediately after.
Friday (Jumuah) Prayers	Fardh prayers only with distancing, multiple sessions, maximum capacity 120 people. Plus as per daily prayers
Funeral Wash Facilities	Open for non-Covid cases. Only 4 family members and with appropriate distancing
Funeral (Janazah) Prayers	As per government guidelines on numbers
Quran Recital / Study	Should be done at home
Children’s Classes	Not to open immediately but phase in, following a successful re-opening
Lectures	None
Individual/group Bookings	None
School Visits	None
Marriages /Nikahs	As per government guidelines with social distancing (30 people)
Ladies Prayer Facilities	Not compulsory for Ladies so will remain closed
Ladies Jumuah Facilities	Attendance not compulsory for Ladies so will remain closed
Salaah Timetables	Available online, printed copies made available at the mosque.
Consultation with Imam	On a case by case basis, appointments with appropriate distancing
Trustees Meetings	Mainly virtual,  follow distancing and protection guidelines for any in person meetings especially for re-opening activity
General Cleaning	All entrance/exit touch points to be disinfected at each salaah. General cleaning to be applied regularly.

 

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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