Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) director Mohd Ajib Ismail said the new ruling was made after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

He said Friday prayers at mosques and suraus, including in areas with tents, could also be carried out at full capacity with physical distancing of 1.5m, while lectures were also allowed with the same conditions.

Meanwhile, he said that during Ramadan, Tarawih prayers would be allowed to be held according to the capacity of the mosque and surau with physical distancing observed, and it should be limited to 20 rakaats, with the recitation of short surahs or verses.

“‘Tazkirah’ is not allowed during the Tarawih. Quran classes can be performed with participants filling up half of the main prayer hall, with physical distancing of 1.5m.

“’Qiamullail’ (night prayers) can be performed 30 minutes before the time of ‘imsak’. Payment of zakat fitrah manually or via direct payment to an ‘amil’ (person authorised to collect zakat) is allowed in addition to online payment or other methods prescribed by the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP),” he said.

Apart from that, Ajib said the breaking of fast or iftar banquets were not allowed, but the Kariah Committee is encouraged to distribute breaking of fast packets to the needy and frontliners.

He said ‘moreh’ (banquet at the mosque or surau during the fasting month) was not allowed, however, the Kariah Committee could provide food packets to members of the congregation to take home after Tarawih prayers.

Ajib said all the latest rulings were subject to the guidelines and standard operating procedures set by the National Security Council and the health ministry.