Chief minister Chow Kon Yeow said in his Hari Raya address today the state government has allocated RM500,000 for the first-ever Seberang Perai city mosque project.

Currently, Penang only has a state mosque on the island, on Jalan Masjid Negeri.

He said another RM800,000 has been allocated for Islamic education, for the Kafa Menengah and Pulau Pinang Mengajar programme under the auspices of the state.

He said an Al-Itqan education centre was also being built with 51 classrooms in four blocks, including four science labs, expected to be completed by 2023 on wakaf land at Kampung Masjid, Teluk Kumbar, on the island.

Contacted for further details on the Seberang Perai city mosque, deputy chief minister Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman said it would be able to cater to 3,000 worshippers and would be built on a 2ha site near Jeti Batu Musang.

Separately, the Penang Islamic religious council has announced guidelines at mosques and suraus during the movement control order.

It said mosques would be allowed to have 50 people at any one time, while suraus can have 20, for fardu, Friday and Hari Raya prayers.

All kulliyah, educational and Yassin prayers are not allowed, while Raya lunches or dinners are also banned.

All mosques and suraus are to also create a “ruang musafir” for workers and e-hailing drivers to carry out their prayers. Visiting of graves is not permitted.