Muscat – Following the resumption of special night prayers during Ramadan (Taraweeh) in mosques after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Ministry of Awaqaf and Religious Affairs (MARA) issued a circular stating it had noticed that some worshipers did not adhere to the COVID-19 precautionary measures established by the Supreme Committee.

Also, despite the ban on children under 12 from entering mosques, there are still young kids attending Taraweeh prayers – the act which does not only put children in danger but also cause lack of tranquility during prayers leaving worshipers concerned.

‘The ministry calls upon the worshipers in mosques to adhere to the decisions of the Supreme Committee in order to achieve the public interest and to preserve the safety of citizens and residents on this blessed land,’ MARA said in a statement.

According to the safety procedures announced, only those who have been vaccinated with two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and above the age of 12 are allowed to attend congregational prayers, including Taraweeh prayers.

‘Worshipers must take preventive measures, such as wearing face masks, and observe physical distancing in closed places, including mosques,’ the statement said.

“The decision to ban kids in mosques was great but I have noticed they are still coming. Imagine you are in the middle of a prayer, and all of the sudden you hear kids laughing, crying or making noise. One can’t stop thinking about how irritating that is and makes it difficult to focus on the prayers,” Hamoud al Dhohli, one of many worshipers in Amerat, said.

Like Dhohli, Mohammed al Badi, a Seeb resident, said that many mosques do not offer tranquility as children who accompany their parents for prayers end up talking, laughing and sometimes teasing each other.

“I would rather drive to another locality daily to look for tranquility during Taraweeh, leaving behind the mosque near my home. I do not blame the children but the parents. Moreover, we are still in the pandemic and lack of adhering to COVID-19 precautionary measures during Taraweeh prayers is a cause of concern for all including children,” Badi said.

In Muscat, most mosques have no security staff to keep guard. “There is a need of strict enforcement of the rules to ensure that worshipers are safe and also not disturbed by noises and unwanted behaviour of children. Authorities need to keep a tab on how mosques are managed, otherwise things will run without keeping in mind the pandemic and its consequences,” Hassan al Naamani, a worshiper from Muscat, said.

In Ramadan, Muslims enter into a period of discipline and worship by fasting during the day, and praying throughout the day and night. Taraweeh prayer can be as long as over an hour, during which one stands upright to read from the Q’uran and perform many cycles of movement (standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting). And in order to get the most out of it, tranquility is much needed.