In response to the Government’s decision to relax restrictions on the use of places of worship, we are delighted to present to you our much thought over protocol allowing us to use 30% of our capacity. The Government was very clear that our places of worship can only be used, for the time being, to offer prayers. We decided to test our way through by offering Jumuah prayer only.
As a result, we can only accommodate a maximum of 80 men and 20 women for each scheduled prayer. So before leaving your home or work place, make sure to bring with you:
1. Your own prayer mat.
You will not be allowed in the prayer hall without a prayer mat.
2. Your reservation (a paper copy or on your cell phone and a government issued photo ID). Please be prepared to show this to our volunteers or you will not be let in. We will use ‘Eventbrite’ platform to set up registration times for when people are allowed to come in. Through ‘Eventbrite’ we are able to utilise the registration list provided by the platform to ensure that the people who registered are the ones who are coming in.
3. A face-mask to be worn at all times while on the premises.
4. Your wudu!
No wudu will be allowed on the premises.
Also note that congregants who should not come to the masjid are (1) those who are not feeling well, (2) have travelled outside the country in the last 14 days, or (3) have come in contact with a case of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in the last 14 days without proper personal protective equipment. Temperature devices may be used to verify your wellness status.
Age Restrictions:
Their are no age restrictions.
The Islamic Centre is not responsible and will not be held liable for any congregant sustaining harm, injury, or illness as a result of their attendance.
Upon arriving on the premises, you are required to:
1) stay in your car until volunteers start directing people to enter
2) maintain a two meter distance between you and the other person (marks will be on the ground to help you). Please do not shake hands or hug anyone.
3) you will be handed a clear plastic bag to place your shoes inside that will be kept with you. Shoe racks are not accessible, neither are shoe horns.
4) you will be ushered to your marked spot in the prayer hall. At that time you may offer Sunnah prayer.
5) leave immediately after Fard prayer. Sunnah and Nafl prayers are to be performed at home. No social gatherings are permitted.
6) not approach the Imam for any inquiries. That may be done through phone or social media.
7) not use electric outlets to charge devices.
8) follow lines of dismissal when prayers are complete and drive off in an organized manner to facilitate emptying the premises.
9) obey the instructions of the volunteers and security staff, and remember they are giving their time to ensure our safety. Offensive and threatening behaviour by any member of the congregation will not be tolerated.
The Islamic Centre will do its share by:
1) providing registration via ‘Eventbrite’. People who are not comfortable with this method may register by calling the Centre at 519-668-2269 Ext.1. Space will be limited to only 10 spots for those individuals per prayer. When you call, please leave a message on the machine with your name and telephone number as well as which prayer session you wish to attend. Our administrator will call back normally the day before Jumuah (Thursday) to confirm your registration and to obtain further information. If you do not receive a call back, that means registration is full so please re-apply the following week. Please do not call before registration opens.
2) multiple prayers will be performed on Friday to accommodate as many people as needed. In the beginning we will offer one prayer at 12 noon sharp and another one at 1:30 pm sharp. Doors to the Centre will be closed 5 minutes before the Imam ascends the minbar. There will be absolutely no exception. If you happen to arrive late you may have to return or wait in your car for the next prayer. Doors will be secured by security guards.
3) the Khutbah and prayer together should not exceed 20 minutes in order to allow the following congregation to form without cross traffic forming.
4) having separate entrances and exits to the premises that are clearly marked.
5) making all facilities other than the prayer hall inaccessible. Of special mention is the kitchen. No food or drink will be sold or consumed on the premises.
6) encasing all Qur’an shelves with plastic and rendering them inaccessible.
7) providing a few sanitizing stations at the entrances and exits. You are encouraged to use them upon entering and leaving.
8) sanitizing the premises after every prayer.
9) keeping all doors leading to the prayer hall open and guarded to decrease any possibility of contamination through touch.
After using the facilities, you are required to promptly report any symptoms, God forbid, that may be identified with COVID 19 infection by calling the Islamic Centre. You are encouraged not to visit different places of worship during the pandemic to help in tracing any possible infection.
