The National Muslim Task Force has issued statements throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, from the beginning of the pandemic, during the blessed month of Ramadan, and when masajids were beginning to reopen. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a major threat to the health of our nation, our community, and the world. Here in the United States, there are states that have seen a decline of cases, while other states are seeing large increases in the number of new cases each day. The National Muslim COVID-19 Task Force and the National Black Muslim COVID Coalition strongly recommend that Muslims nationwide continue to take necessary precautions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially during the Eid holiday.

1. Continue to follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing, wearing masks and staying at home, when possible
2. Avoid large congregational prayers to decrease the risk of transmission.
3. Recommend praying at home and only have the minimum number of people needed to establish prayer present at the masajids with precautions.
4. Donate Zakat, Sadaqah, and Qurbani/Udhiyah to organizations that are supporting vulnerable communities in the United States, local masajids, and abroad.

Protecting human life is one of the fundamental objectives of Islamic Shari’ah, a guiding principle for the Task Force. These recommendations also align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), and state and local jurisdictions.

For vulnerable individuals (elderly, existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, immunocompromised state), this disease continues to have a high mortality rate. Recently, there are more young people, less than age 50, who are becoming infected. The virus continues to cause a severe inflammatory response in children (Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children or MIS-C) that has led to hospitalizations and even death. There is still no known cure or vaccine for COVID-19 and there is inconsistent testing across the United States.

In our history, there have been multiple documented instances where devotional acts such as daily and weekly congregational prayers, including those for funerals, Taraweeh and Eid were temporarily halted to avoid life-threatening, widespread danger from pandemics such as bubonic plague.

It is imperative for the American Muslim community to not let their guard down as COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States. While this pandemic continues to disrupt our daily social and religious norms, we must continue to be vigilant to ensure the safety of our families, neighbors, and communities, regardless of gender, race or school of thought.

For mosques that choose to open back up, we encourage them to fully comply with CDC and local public health guidelines. The National Muslim COVID-19 Task Force has issued a statement regarding how masajids should plan reopening in their communities. We also encourage that they be inclusive as they reopen and avoid discriminating based on gender or age.

The National Muslim COVID-19 Taskforce and the National Black Muslim COVID Coalition pray that Allah (SWT) continue to protect our essential workers, communities,, vulnerable populations, our country and the world from this pandemic and accepts our duas.

Signed:

• National Black Muslim COVID Coalition
• North American Imams
• Federation (NAIF)
• Penny Appeal USA
• Poligon Education Fund
• The National Muslim COVID-19 Taskforce
• The North American Islamic Trust Inc.
• United Mission For Relief and Development (UMR)

View PDF Statement here

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