COVID-19/Coronavirus

Download Jummah Khutbah Talking Points

Khutbah Talking Points: COVID-19/Coronavirus

  • COVID-19 is the medical term for the recent outbreak of a strain of the Coronavirus
  • Coronavirus is a family of viruses that begins with the transmission from animals to humans, and later humans-to-humans. The COVID-19 is a new strain of the Coronavirus. 
  • COVID-19 manifests through flu-like symptoms and is a viral infection that targets the lungs. Serious symptoms include fever, shortness of breath, and dry coughing.
  • The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid crowded places, transportation, avoid touching your face, disinfect highly trafficked surfaces and areas, and wash your hands with soap and water frequently for at least 20 seconds. 
  • Please cover your mouth with your elbow when coughing or sneezing. Wash your hands immediately after.
  • It is important to keep masks on in the public, and double layer masks if possible.
  • It is always important to have extra dry food in the house for any kind of emergency. 
  • If you are feeling flu-like symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, and shortness of breath, please stay at home, do not come to the mosque, and call your doctor.
  • Coronavirus is more dangerous to people with weak immune systems such as the elderly.  Those who are elders, have chronic illnesses, lung disease, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes should avoid unnecessary public gatherings and should avoid attending the mosque to avoid risk of exposure to Coronavirus. Be mindful, and protect the vulnerable by limiting your activities, even if you are healthy and young. 
  • Refrain from touching, shaking hands, hugging, and kissing each other, especially during jumu’ah prayers. Even though physical touch from brother-to-brother and sister-to-sister is a part of culture, this is discouraged for the sake of preventing the spread of any illnesses.
  • As part of our Islamic values, we do not believe in or engage in any forms of racism. Asian brothers and sisters have been under racist attacks and we condemn racism in all forms.
  • Unless public officials call for the temporary closure of houses of worship, maintenance of jumu’ah salah remains obligatory for healthy adult men with the exception of cases such as illness/sickness. If mosques are temporarily closed due to the virus or movement is restricted in your area, then praying Jumu’ah in private as Dhuhr is permissible.
  • “Preventing harm takes precedent over the acquisition of benefits.” As such, following precautions is an obligation.
  • Cleanliness is a part of the deen. Always maintain cleanliness as a safeguard from evils and impurity.
  • Remain calm! Do not panic because mass hysteria creates more confusion and chaos. Ultimately all affairs belong with Allah (swt). 

**Advisory for Mosques**

  • Keep Jumu’ah khutbas and prayers as short as possible 
  • Keep hand sanitizers and antibacterial soap easily available in your mosques
  • Sanitize your mosque frequently with disinfectants (eg. bathrooms, doorknobs)
  • Minimize events at your mosque
  • Put up informational posters in the mosque that is accessible to the public
  • Elderly, weak and sick individuals should be politely turned away
  • Be prepared for mosque closures, program cancellations, and multiple jumu’ah services 
  • Congregation sizes above 500 people are prohibited starting March 13th 
  • Capacities of 500 people or less will legally be required to reduce by half
  • Stay updated on news and guidelines from the CDC website and www.ny.gov 

For updates and mobile alerts for the Muslim community, text CV19 to 56525 or visit www.shuranewyork.org