Ministry of Islamic Affairs has eased restrictions for prayer congregations in the Greater Male' Region.
In a tweet, Islamic Minister Dr. Ahmed Zahir Ali said prayer goers will no longer have to follow social distancing, starting from Maghrib prayers on April 3. The requirement to follow social distancing at prayer congregations have been removed just over a month after the restriction was placed.
Islamic Ministry set the guideline to adhere to social distancing during prayer congregations on March 1, which caused controversy among religious scholars. However, Maldives' Fatwa Council backed the decision after taking into account the circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although the government banned Tarawih prayer congregations during Ramadan last year due to COVID-19, the Islamic Ministry has stated congregations will be allowed for Tarawih prayers during the upcoming month of Ramadan.