Bahrain Mirror: The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs dealt a blow to the efforts of Bahrain's senior Shiite clerics and all popular efforts that were preparing to commemorate Ashura rituals, during the Holy month of Muharram, in Husseiniyas (religious congregational halls).

Prayers at mosques, collective worship and religious assemblies will remain suspended, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs said. The suspension will be maintained until the rate of the coronavirus (COVID-19) will decrease to the levels set by the competent authorities.

Gatherings and direct contacts are keeping the spread of COVID-19 high and have therefore hindered the health situation from rising above the level that would allow the council to re-open mosques and places of worship and permit religious crowds, it added.

"Therefore, and based on its religious responsibility, on the Sharia enjoinments to protect lives and not to expose them to danger or to pandemics, and on the recommendations of the competent medical authorities, the council announces that prayers in mosques, collective worship and religious gatherings will remain suspended," a statement issued by the council noted.

Arabic Version