Kirkcaldy Mosque re-opens for worship but Ramadan cancelled for second year running

The mosque re-opened last Friday in accordance with Scottish Government rules regarding places of worship to the delight of Kirkcaldy’s Muslim community.

But even though it has opened its doors to worshipers for prayer, the mosque will be operating a strict social-distancing rule with members of the congregation allocated 20 minute slots to pray.

Imam Mansoor Mahmood has welcomed the re-opening of the mosque, he said: “It is great news that we can finally open up for prayer again as I know that a lot of our congregation is missing their visits to the mosque.

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"Even though we are open, we are still being very cautious and limiting the amount of people in the mosque at any one time to adhere to social-distancing rules, making sure everyone wears a mask, providing hand sanitiser, and keeping prayer services to 20 minute slots."

Imam Mansoor goes on to explain that like last year at the onset of the pandemic Ramadan celebrations at the mosque will be severely impacted.

"We are worried about the impact these restrictions will have on Ramadan.” he explained. “Certain prayers at Ramadan last for over an hour which will be impossible to hold in the mosque.

"The mosque management will be holding a meeting next week to see if we can reduce the time of these prayers to around 30 or 40 minutes as being in an enclosed space for over an hour can increase the chances of catching Covid by four times.

"One way to tackle this problem is to have a mix of prayers where people can do some at home and then some at the mosque which will shorten the time needed in the mosque.

"The Iftar meals that we have each day at sunset during Ramadan are also cancelled this year, usually different families will take a turns each day to make a meal for 100 people for the 30 days of Ramadan but obviously we cannot do this for the second year running.”

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