Turkey keeps mosques open but suspends congregational prayers as COVID-19 spreads

Turkey has suspended all congregational prayers in mosques as a measure to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

The Presidency of Religious Affairs, the Diyanet, said on Monday (Mar 16) that congregational Friday prayers will also be suspended.

Turkey had a total of 47 confirmed COVID-19 cases as on Monday, with 29 new cases confirmed on the day. 

Authorities earlier closed schools and universities, and from Saturday started placing under quarantine passengers returning from abroad in their dormitories.

Yeni tip koronavirüsün yayılma tehlikesi ortadan kalkıncaya kadar;
- Ä°slam’ın ÅŸiârı olan ezanlarımız okunmaya devam edecek.
- Cuma namazı baÅŸta olmak üzere cami ve mescitlerde cemaatle namaza ara verilecek.
- Camiler, münferiden namaz kılmak isteyenler için açık bulundurulacak. pic.twitter.com/dmJki7LJPH

— Prof. Dr. Ali ErbaÅŸ (@DIBAliErbas) March 16, 2020

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