Friday Prayer (Jummah) Registration

Welcome Back

إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلاَّ اللّهَ
The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. Yusuf Ali   At-Tauba (The Repentance) 9:18

It is with great pleasure that we share with you that MAC Islamic Centre of Ottawa is now open for both Friday (Jummah) prayers as well the the regular five daily prayers,

This comes with stringent conditions imposed by the Government of Ontario such as physical distancing in place and attendance limited to no more than 30% of the building capacity to ensure the safety of worshippers.

We established the following guidelines to ensure two key outcomes:

1.       Your safety and the safety of fellow community members and our staff and volunteers.

2.       Ensure a reliable tracing mechanism for Public Health Ontario in case any positive infection cases were registered among any person who entered the masjid.

In order to reduce the chances of infection – we are:
1.     Opening our congregation to healthy people (age 14 to 70 years) in order to keep the vulnerable populations in our community safe.

2.     Individuals experiencing the most common symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath, runny nose, or sore throat) are not permitted to join the congregation.

3.     Individuals who have traveled internationally in the last 14 days and individuals who have had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days are prohibited from entering in the Masjid.

4.     Limiting the masjid to to a capacity of 60 people in order to comply with the provincial directive and ensure everyone has equal opportunity to attend the mosque. Both women and men are welcome.

5.     We are providing equal opportunity for access based on first registered.

6.     Ensuring the appropriate physical distancing measures of 2 meters (6ft.) are in place in entry and exit queues, within the mosque and during congregational prayer.

7.     Increasing the frequency of our cleaning and disinfection procedures in general and paying special attention to high touch areas. The Masjid is disinfected by professional certified health and safety technicians.

8.     Having sanitizing stations available to our congregants.

9.     Limiting access to high contact areas such as water fountains, playgrounds, and bathrooms.

10.  Prayers will be shortened and attendees are expected to exit right after prayer so as to avoid gatherings and maintain safety

11.  In order to safely accommodate the greatest number of congregants – we are reducing Jumma time and holding two Jumma prayers: 12:45PM, 1:45PM.

12.  Only congregational daily and Jumaa prayers are permitted while other activities will continue to be hosted online.

13.  In-person social gatherings before and after prayers are not permitted at this time.

We need your help to ensure everyone’s safety. The following are mandatory requirements:

1.     All congregants MUST pre-register, which includes a health pre-screening, to attend.

2.     Make your wudu at home. The washrooms will not be available

3.     Please arrive 15 minutes in advance of the time slot for which you were confirmed. We will be checking in those registered at the door. Prayer halls will only be open to congregants 15 minutes before the Iqama time and will close 15 minutes after. Sunnah or Nafl prayers should be performed at home.

4.     Congregants must bring their own prayer mats. You can not prostrate directly on Masjid carpet.

5.     Please wear face mask and practice physical distancing while at the masjid and during prayer

6.     You may be asked to keep shoes with you to prevent overcrowding. Please bring your own shoe bags.

7.     The designated direction for the flow of people through the Masjid Must be followed.

8.     Please use hand sanitizer upon entering/exiting the mosque.

9.     Avoid handshakes, embracing, close talking etc. Please avoid any contact at all times.

10.  Do not hand out or share items that cannot be cleaned and sanitized before and after each use (e.g., books, prayer mats).

11.  Congregants are requested to use hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (including coughing and sneezing into the elbow or a tissue, discarding tissues into a lined garbage bin).