Saudi Arabia Decides Lockdown during Eid al-Fitr 1441 H

Saudi Arabia decided to apply lockdown in all regions during the Eid al-Fitr celebration of 1441 H. Lockdown will be applied on 23-27 May 2020 to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in the country.

"Today 21-29 Ramadhan 1441 H may leave the house from 9 am to 5 pm. From 30 Ramadan to 4 Shawl complete curfew / lockdown is applied throughout the day, "the Saudi Arabian government was quoted as saying from the Twitter Saudi Press Agency @SPAregions.

Quoted from Arab News, Saudi Arabia has previously implemented a lockdown in the Baish region located in Jazan Province. Lockdown causes residents to only leave the house to buy medicine, medical supplies, or daily necessities at 9 am to five pm.

Until the lockdown is implemented on May 23, 2020, economic activities will continue. People can be free to move from 9 am to 5 pm except in Mecca.

This decision was conveyed by the Saudi Interior Ministry because cases of corona virus infection are still increasing. Quoted from Al-Jazeera, the local Ministry of Health announced deaths from COVID-19 reached 264 cases until Tuesday (05/12/2020).

Positive confirmed cases reached 42,925, which is the highest number since the pandemic was announced about two months ago. Saudi Arabia previously implemented lockdown in most of its territories to prevent and reduce COVID-19 cases. But the rules were relaxed at the beginning of Ramadan 1441 H.

The local Ministry of Health has previously announced the risk of corona virus transmission to crowds of people. The Saudi government has previously implemented various ways to prevent corona virus infection, including delaying the implementation of the pilgrimage. Meanwhile, the hajj pilgrimage is still being considered by the government and related parties.

If Saudi lockdown, how about Eid prayer 1441 H?

Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah Al Al-Sheikh said Eid al-Fitr 1441 H prayers could still be carried out as in previous years. But by paying attention to health protocols dealing with corona virus infection.

"If the corona virus pandemic continues, resulting in being unable to pray at the mosque, worship must be performed at home. Besides that there is no celebration after the Eid al-Fitr Prayer, "said the Saudi religious leader.

Grand Mufti had previously advised people to do tarawih prayers at home. Worship at home prevents the spread of the corona virus from becoming more widespread in the general public.

"Because it is not possible to do tarawih prayers at the mosque, the community must worship at home. With prayers at home, people can still get blessings and rewards during Ramadan 2020 while preventing transmission of COVID-19, "Grand Mufti said.

People do not need to worry about praying at home instead of at the mosque as usual. Moreover, Eid prayer and tarawih the sunnah is not compulsory like five times prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had suggested prayer at home for worship that is not mandatory.

Source: detik