Amid coronavirus fears, the Shuroi Ulama (Council of Ulama -- an Islamic council that issues fatwas (religious rulings) and religious guidance to Islamic religious organizations) at the Islamic Center of Tajikistan today released an appeal to local Muslims calling on them to temporarily refrain from performing congregational prayers in mosques.

“For the purpose of preventing the possible spread of coronavirus and providing safety of citizens, temporarily refrain from performing congregational prayers in Friday prayer mosques, “five-time” prayer mosques and Jamatkhonas (Ismaili places of worship), with the exception of the Janozah prayer (this prayer is performed in congregation to seek pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims),” reads the Shuroi Ulama appeal.     

In Islam, Friday prayer or congregational prayer is a prayer (ṣalat) that Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon instead of the Zuhr prayer.

Masjidi Jome also known as a congregational mosque or Friday mosque, is a type of mosque which is the main mosque of a certain area that hosts the special Friday noon prayers.  They also host the Eid prayers in situations when there is no musalla or eidgah available or nearby to host the prayers.