Leeds Council of Mosques
Covid-19 Statement

Thursday 19th March

In line with the most recent advice from the Government, medical experts and careful deliberation with Islamic Scholars, Leeds Council of Mosques (LCM) strongly advises Mosques to suspend their regular activities to prevent the further spread of the deadly coronavirus.

Mosques are required to suspend:
a) congregational five daily prayers
b) congregational prayer on Fridays/ Jummah khutbah
c) all madrasa activities

The unprecedented decision to suspend congregational prayers and services at Mosques can be extremely difficult. But this is a decision that has to be made in the interest of health and wellbeing of our people. Many of our mosque congregants are vulnerable either through age, long term health condition, including coronary heart disease, diabetes.

There are many mosques in Leeds that have already closed their doors because the Islamic obligation to save a life and prevent harm, supersedes the requirement to pray in a congregation.

The Mosques are being asked to close their doors or restrict access, in the interest of health and wellbeing of the public, but the Doors of Allah are ever-open and He knows our intentions.

LCM urges Mosques and Imams to provide some of their services through creative ways - online khutbas, learning, teaching and supporting each other.

May Allah Almighty help us in this extremely testing time, and turn to Him in increased devotion.

We pray that we come through this with much stronger faith and a commitment to serve others.

Qari Asim
Spokesman
Leeds Council of Mosques
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قال الله تعالى : ( إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ فَعَسَى أُولَئِكَ أَنْ يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ ) التوبة/18

وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : ( مَنْ بَنَى مَسْجِدًا بَنَى اللَّهُ لَهُ مِثْلَهُ فِي الْجَنَّةِ ) رواه البخاري (450) ومسلم (533) من حديث عثمان رضي الله عنه .