Services cancelled but worship continues amid Covid-19

We are aware that this post keeps being circulated on social media. Please note that it refers to the situation on 20 March 2020, three days BEFORE the lockdown was announced.

 

Mosques in South Leeds took different approaches to holding the weekly ‘jummah’ congregational prayer on the first Friday (20 March 2020) since government advice discouraging large gatherings.

The Abu Huraira Mosque on Beeston Hill and the Al-Madina Masjid off Dewsbury Road had announced their closures on Thursday but Masjid Ibraheem on Woodview Road remained open for Friday prayers.

The normally busy Abu Huraira mosque had shut its gates and turned away several worshippers who had not heard the news.

A mosque representative, who did not wish to be named, said:

“Having a gathering of more than 100 people is too risky, especially for those with diabetes and health problems. We’ve taken years to build this mosque, so the last thing we want to do is close it. We’re taking it week by week.”

Muslims have been urged to pray at home by Abu Huraira, who added that jummah prayer can be performed at home by three people. The Muslim Council of Britain on 16 March called for the suspension of all congregational activities in UK mosques and Islamic centres.

The scene was very different at the nearby , where Friday prayers were being held from 12.30pm in multiple short sessions to cope with the closure of the first floor and larger worshipper numbers.

Worshippers could be seen queuing outside the entrance waiting to be allowed in, with some wearing face masks and many others not.

A mosque steward, who did not wish to be named, explained that the mosque’s policy was to hold lots of short sermons and prayers without allowing worshippers to perform extra prayers before or after. Prayers would commence as soon as the room was full rather than at fixed times.

“We’re putting in tight measures: no over-70s, no children, no one with coughs or sneezes, no one with underlying health issues,” he said.

“We had long discussions. We’re taking it every day as it comes. It was very short notice.”

The Bangladeshi Community Centre’s Al-Madina Jam-e Masjid’s management committee announced on Thursday that it too was suspending all services until further notice.

“Following advice from medical professionals, scholars and other masjids, we’ve decided to take the difficult decision to temporarily suspend all services and gatherings including all daily prayers and jummah prayer,” a sign on a building window said.

“We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and inform our congregation of any updates.”

Abu Huraira Mosque could not confirm the cancellation of Ramadan events at this time. However, children enrolled in its educational activities will be able to continue their studies from home with weekly check-ups with parents via telephone.

 

The mosque closures follow the actions of other local places of worship. St Andrew’s Methodist Church on Old Lane and Beeston Hill United Free Church were two places that had already closed their doors amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Beeston St Mary’s has cancelled services, but the church will be open at the usual service times for individuals to pray.

“All will be asked to wash hands and refrain from physical contact” explained Rev Lindsey Pearson. “Please pray for all those affected. Apart from those who get ill many will be feeling anxious and alone. We will try to support each other through this difficult time”

St Luke’s Church on Malvern Road, Beeston is currently closed for building works and the congregation had been meeting at St Luke’s Primary School. From Sunday they will be able to follow weekly a live-stream at 10:30am on Facebook, organised by Rev Alistair Kaye.

 

10 Replies to “Services cancelled but worship continues amid Covid-19”

  1. I get stopped travelling alone and wuestione about my activities. Why is any form of gathering for whatever reason enforced. Why isn’t the lockdown applied equally to all.
    Perhaps the police would care to explain.

  2. The Muslim community have continually flouted the lockdown rules. They act as if the rules don’t apply to them. They carry on their daily lives totally disregarding the health and safety of others in Britain. If they cannot comply with the rules like the majority of the country are doing maybe it would be a good idea if they return to their countries of origin and for those that were born here then go and reside in the original country of your parents and grandparents. Basically F*** OFF.

    1. Shirley, the Muslim community is as law abiding as any other section of society. The article you are commenting about was written on 20 March and published on 21 March BEFORE the lockdown started. It has been deliberately re-circulated by people who want to spread dis-unity. I can reassure you that all mosques, churches and other places of worship in South Leeds are closed. Please also see our statement about the mis-use of our photograph: https://southleedslife.com/racists-misuse-south-leeds-life-photo/

      1. Well said Jeremy, but she is being very hateful by telling people to go back to their countries and using hate speech, I think she needs to blocked.

    2. Yo Shirley, any chance of us seeing the results of an Ancestry DNA test so we can see where you come from?

    3. Oh please with your ignorance! You are the type of person who utters this type of nonsense but would be far too afraid to say it out loud to them. What a complete coward, uttering complete lies. You are an embarrassment and a complete idiot.
      return to their countries?? so what if they are white British Muslims? what a complete fool you are. your parents must be proud.
      Trump and Katy

  3. Will John ever learn how to tell the time and date?

    Can Bully O’Beef really cook a good steak?

    Did Shirley manage to get her fix during lockdown?

    Find out next time on South Leeds Life!

Comments are closed.