Easing restrictions: It will be problematic enforcing regulations at Mosques – Imam

Resident Imam of the Osu Castle Mosque, Sheikh Mohammed Bagaya has raised concerns about the reopening of religious institutions especially Mosques.

According to him, it will prove difficult for Mosques to meet some of the conditions that come along with their reopening.

He raised these concerns in an interview on Happy98.9FM’s Happy Morning Show with Samuel Eshun. The Imam noted that it will be difficult to trace Muslims who visit these mosques should the unfortunate happen.

“Mosques are not like churches where you know all your members. We sometimes have walk-ins from all around the country. People from various parts of the country can join any mosque for prayers wherever they find themselves.”

He noted that this can be problematic because contact tracing can be a challenge as these people can infect a whole lot of people unknowingly should they contract the coronavirus.

Sheikh Bagaya emphasised that the Mosques can put in place measures to ensure the safety of its congregants but “it can become problematic to enforce certain regulations in our mosques.”

After placing a ban on social gatherings some months back as part of measures to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the President in his 10th address to the nation has eased up some of these restrictions.

Effective Friday, 5th June, a maximum number of one hundred (100) congregants can worship at a time in church or at the mosque, with a mandatory one-metre rule of social distancing between congregants.

Amongst other measures, worshippers are required to worship for a maximum of 1 hour and also fill out a register with their contact details and home addresses.