Countries and communities around the world are working to contain COVID-19 and mitigate its effects. The following digest represents a variety of sources in which law, particularly Islamic law, was invoked in the decision making process. All roundups can be found at this link.
- Brooklyn mosques close indefinitely as number of positive COVID-19 cases rise.
- Egypt imposes two week night-time curfew to contain the spread of coronavirus.
- Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta issues fatwa calling people to abide by medical regulations against COVID-19.
- Iraq‘s Ayatollah Sistani declares the presence of COVID-19 patients in gatherings haram.
- Iraqi government and religious leaders campaign against extremist groups refusing to close shrines and mosques.
- Morocco declares state of heath emergency to deal with the spread of coronavirus, reminiscent of measures taken in the 18th and 19th centuries.
- Pakistan keeps mosques open for prayer, despite the spread of coronavirus.
- Pakistani citizens demand concrete policy for religious congregations amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
- United Kingdom‘s Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), which has over 500 member mosques, issues recommendation to suspend congregational activities in the fight against coronavirus.
- “Virtually Islamic Blog” documents COVID-19 coverage online.
- Ulema of Al-Azhar University issue fatwa banning congregational prayers.
- Religious practitioners wrestle with barred access to sacred spaces amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, many disobeying orders to pray at home.
- Legal advocates for prisoners, such as the Massachusetts Prisoners’ Legal Services, call for the release of prisoners amidst COVID-19 health concerns for prisoner populations.
- The National Muslim Task Force issues recommendation that Muslims in North America make every effort to support self-quarantine and social distancing.
- The statement can be found on the SHARIAsource portal at this link.
- Individual states offer religious exemptions to stay-at-home orders and mass gathering bans.
- Traditional funerary rites remain impacted by COVID-19‘s contagious qualities.