Peterborough mosques suspend public worship amid Covid concerns

On Friday (January 15) the Faizan-e-Madina, Masjid Ghousia and Masjid Khadijah mosques, on Gladstone Street and Cromwell Road respectively, all released statements saying that they would be closed until further notice and that the decision was made in conjunction with all the major mosques in the city.

Under the rules of the national lockdown, places of worship are allowed to remain open for communal worship. This is one of the very few legal exemptions granted to allow gatherings.

On Wednesday (January 13) Abdul Choudhuri, Chairman of the Peterborough Joint Mosques Council said that the mosques were monitoring the situation on a daily basis and actively trying to improve facilities to better enable social distancing.

The comments came after Peterborough Cathedral confirmed on Tuesday (January 12) that all public services would be suspended until at least February.

Now though, the city’s mosques have taken the same decision to close their doors after receiving a letter of recommendation from Liz Robin, Peterborough’s Director of Public Health.

In the letter, addressed to all faith leaders in Peterborough, Dr Robin said that she ‘strongly recommended’ that all services should be suspended in all places of worship. The only exception to this would be funerals and weddings in exceptional circumstances.

A full copy of Dr Robin’s letter can be found on the Faizan-e-Madina Facebook page by clicking here.

A statement on the same page said: “As you may be aware of the current COVID situation in Peterborough, with the rising number of infections and deaths on a weekly basis, it is with a heavy heart that Faizan-e-Madina, along with all major mosques in the city, have decided that as of Isha prayers (after completing isha prayers) tonight (Friday 15th of January 2021) to temporarily close to the public.

“This decision has been made after the strong recommendation from the Health Director of Peterborough to voluntarily close the Mosque.

“It is our moral duty to protect the community from the risks posed by this virus. For this reason the closure will be for all daily prayers and Friday prayers until further notice.

“All Madrassah classes have been running online since (Christmas) the start of 2021 and will continue to do so as per the current arrangements.

“This decision will remain under constant review and we will reopen the Mosque as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

“We urge all of the attendees of the mosque to please comply with government guidelines through these very difficult and testing times.”

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