Following the UK Government’s announcement that places of worship in England could reopen for private worship from 15 June, Harun Khan, Secretary General of the MCB said:
“It is positive that the UK Government is recognising not just the central role faith plays in the lives of many Britons, but also the important work faith communities have carried out to support others during the lockdown.
“However, yesterday’s announcement that places of worship in England would be able to reopen for individual prayer from 15 June lacks clarity for Muslim communities.
“Mosques are provisioned primarily for congregational worship, so there is currently significant uncertainty and concern from mosque leaders on how the new regulations can actually be implemented.
“MCB has been consulting and engaging closely with hundreds of mosques and dozens of regional and national Muslim associations in the past few weeks on this topic, and it is clear that Muslim communities have been proactively planning and thinking about the challenges faced in re-opening mosques, ahead of official UK Government guidelines to confirm their plans.
“We urge the government to give clear and unambiguous guidance, so that mosque trustees, staff, volunteers and others with leadership responsibilities have the clarity they need to plan effectively to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone.”
ENDS