Friday 12th June 2020 – The Government has partially lifted restrictions on places of worship to allow “individual prayers” from 15 June 2020. But the primary function of mosques is to facilitate collective worship for the Muslim community.

Like other mosques in the UK, we are waiting for clear guidance for the re-opening of mosques so they can hold congregational prayers. Once this has been given, the East London Mosque and others can then consider how best to open for the five daily prayers, whilst ensuring the safety and wellbeing of worshippers.

At the East London Mosque, we have been liaising closely with other mosques and Muslim organisations in Tower Hamlets, across London and throughout the UK, to prepare for the eventual reopening. We call on the Government to give the clearest indication as soon as possible as to when and how our mosques can open again for congregational prayers.

Covid-19 remains a threat to the lives of vulnerable people, especially those in BAME (Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic) communities, who have been disproportionally affected. The safety and well-being of our congregation is of paramount concern; as individual prayers can just as well be performed at home, our mosque, like many others, will not be opening for individual prayers on 15 June. We will keep the situation under review in the days and weeks ahead, and thank our community for their patience and understanding.