Peterborough mosques await government guidance before re-opening

It has been reported that places of worship will be able to open next week - but Abdul Choudhuri, chairman of the Faizan E Madina Mosque in Gladstone Street, said they were looking for further guidance to ensure they could open safely.

Mr Choudhuri said: “We are pleased that the government has taken the first step to reopen the places of worship as of June 15.

“Sadly there is no clarity in this announcement regarding the “private prayers.”

“Normally in Mosques there are fixed times for congregational prayers and we are seeking clarification about this matter.

“As regards to the preparation for the worshipers to come to Mosques, all the Mosques are busy preparing as per government’s guidelines. There is a risk assessment of the building, appointing Covid 19 safety officer, keeping the social distance of 2 metres by marking the floor areas, wearing the face masks, providing the hand sanitizers, limiting the numbers who can attend at one time and advising people with underlying health conditions not to attend are just some of the few actions which are going to be taken in such a short time.

“Further steps will be taken as soon as we receive more guidelines from the government.”