Children, elders not allowed entry into mosques in Oman

Children under the age of 12 years and those over 65 years will not be allowed entry into mosques, His Excellency Muhammad Al-Maamari, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs MERA said.

He noted in a statement to Oman TV that the guidebook for opening mosques does not allow those under 12 years and over 65 years of age to enter mosques, stressing that if any mosque does not adhere to the measures and procedures in the guidebook, it will be closed in order to preserve people's lives and public health.

He explained:  "The mosques will open to perform obligatory prayers and all other activities such as the Holy Quran episodes are suspended."

The recent decision to reopen mosques specified that only mosques with a capacity of more than 400 worshippers can be opened.

He further said: "Supreme Committee is pursuing the gradual reopening of mosques, and about 3,000 mosques will be opened in the first phase, which represents approximately 30% of the total mosques in the Sultanate, stressing that the government relies on community awareness."

"In case of the absence of a mosque with the required capacity in the area in which people live, they must commit to praying at home."