Friday prayers returned to Cairo’s Al-Azhar Mosque after being temporarily stopped by Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb in March to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Only worshippers from among the mosque’s imams and employees took part in the prayers. Regular worshippers were absent in line with virus restrictions.
The Friday prayer was broadcast on Egyptian TV and on Al-Azhar’s social media platforms.
Ahmed Hashem, a member of the Senior Scholars Committee in Azhar, was the preacher for the first Friday prayers since the shutdown.
“To all those working in the medical force, from doctors to nurses, work sincerely and know that in your work of treating the sick, you are conducting the best form of worship,” Hashem said during his sermon, addressing healthcare workers.
Hashem called on the rich countries and people to give a hand for the poor and migrants, knowing that they now need help the most.
Egypt’s Endowments Ministry confirmed that Friday prayer remains suspended in mosques until a plan is prepared to manage the return and discussed with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population and the scientific committee to combat coronavirus.
