Iʿtikāf, Tahajud prayer not to be practiced at mosques in Egypt: Minister

CAIRO – 16 April 2022: Iʿtikāf (Mosque Retreat) will not be practiced at mosques this year in Egypt due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, said Egyptian Minister of Endowment Mukhtar Gomaa in a statement on Friday.

 

Iʿtikāf in Islam is a Sunni practice during which the worshiper stays for a certain number of days, usually in the last 10 days of the holy month of Ramadan, at mosques for only worshiping and avoiding the usual life.

 

The ban decision was also applicable for Tahajud prayer (non-obligatory Night prayer) which is usually performed at night following the mass night prayers (Taraweeh prayer) during the last ten days of Ramadan.

 

This year, Taraweeh has been permitted in some mosques with the adoption of preventive measures against Coronavirus. Those mosques has been allowed to provide religious lessons and lectures. 

 

Tarawih prayers were not allowed to be held at any other small mosques or mosques at universities, in which there is no licensed imams or preachers.

 

In case of any violation, legal measures will be taken against the violators, and prayers will be banned at the violating mosques.

 

Mosques have been opened only 10 minutes before prayer and closed immediately after the end of the prayer.