Imams in Mombasa maintain that Mosques will remain closed

Muslim leaders in Mombasa have maintained that they will not reopen mosques despite the go-ahead given by the Inter-faith Council.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the leaders stated that having only 100 people in mosques is practically impossible since such premises also have hundreds of workers.

They argued that the elderly are often seen boarding the ferry, buying essentials in supermarkets and boarding flights but they are being denied the right to worship.

Further, they said that most political leaders are well-advanced in age but have been seen conducting meetings yet the old are being told to stay at home when places of worship reopen.

Last week, the Interfaith Council announced the way forward as far as reopening places of worship is concerned.

Through a statement read by Archbishop Anthony Muheria, the council noted that public places of worship will be reopened today (Tuesday)but a number of guidelines have to be adhered to.

• There must be sufficient stations of handwashing with soap or sanitization with alcohol-based sanitizers
• All congregants must wear proper face masks over their mouth and nose throughout the service
• Social distance of 1.5m between all congregants must be observed
• Maximum number of congregants should not exceed 100persons
• Children under the age of 13 and persons over the age of 58 are encouraged to stay at home during the first phases of reopening
• Service should not exceed 60minutes

Further;

• There shall be regular cleaning and disinfection of places of worship
• Care in avoiding all unnecessary contact during worship
• Use of thermal guns
• Collections and other activities that involve passing around items will be rethought

The council noted that reopening places of worship will follow four phases which will depend on the infection trend and spread.

A number of Nairobi churches including CITAM, Parklands Baptist and Mavuno Church also announced that their doors will remain locked