Johor Ruler Decrees Restrictions For Muslims Under Mco

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Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar. -filepic
JOHOR BARU: Johor's Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has imposed several restrictions under the movement control order for Muslims to safeguard themselves against Covid-19.
In a statement posted on Sultan Ibrahim's official Facebook page on Wednesday (Jan 13), His Majesty expressed his concern over a spike in new Covid-19 cases happening in the state.
"The declaration of the MCO by the government in Johor, which started on Jan 13 (and will run) until Jan 26, is an effort to stop and break the Covid-19 chain. I fully support efforts to make sure that the country and the state can break free from the pandemic," said Sultan Ibrahim.
His Majesty said that for the purpose of following the MCO, several considerations were made in accordance with the principles of maqasid syariah (objectives of Islamic law), which is to safeguard lives.
Sultan Ibrahim decreed one of the restrictions is a 12-person limit for the five daily prayers and Friday prayers at mosques and surau in the state, adding that this limit includes the mosque or surau officials and committee members.
His Majesty decreed among the activities that can be held at mosques and surau include the solat jenazah but only 12 people are allowed to perform the prayers while the tazkir and tahrim must be done by mosques and surau officials.
Sultan Ibrahim also decreed that solat hajat to accompany the five daily prayers and Friday prayers were allowed but activities which require more time such as religious classes and talks, Quranic programmes and other events at mosques and surau cannot be held.
"For activities at Muslim cemeteries, the affairs of burying the deceased are limited to workers and relatives and the group must not exceed 20 people, while visiting a grave is not allowed during the MCO period," said Sultan Ibrahim.
On Muslim marriages in Johor, His Majesty decreed that the solemnisation or the akad nikah ceremony were only allowed at the district kadi office, and that only the couple and their wali coming from the same district are allowed, and that they must have received the approval for marriage prior to the MCO.
"For couples who have received their marriage approval prior to the MCO but are either outside the district or state, their solemnisation ceremony must be postponed and rescheduled to another date by the office. Those wanting to apply for marriages including registration and polygamy, it must be postponed during the MCO period," said Sultan Ibrahim.
His Majesty also added other affairs including divorce, nikah certification cards or the taking of documents must be carried out at the district kadi office.
Sultan Ibrahim urged everyone including Muslims to unite and pray to God and give us protection from any sorts of disaster, plague especially from the Covid-19 pandemic. - Star

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