JERUSALEM: In the Middle East, where the three main monotheistic faiths shape daily life, the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic has seen religious leaders support constraints unthinkable just a few weeks ago. Leading Muslim clerics have widely backed scientifically-based measures to contain the virus, notably by supporting crowd size restrictions through promotion of home prayer. Authorities in the Sunni-ruled Gulf Arab states of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain have halted prayers in mosques. In Egypt, the most populous Arab country, religious authorities have ordered a two-week closure of mosques and churches and banned mass communal prayers. But chief rabbinical authorities have decreed that following health ministry guidelines is a religious duty and authorised prayer at home.

Source: The North Africa Journal March 22, 2020 02:37 UTC