The mosques department at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs has increased the waiting time after the call to prayer (adhan) to 10 minutes from five.
The department informed this through a circular sent to mosque imams and muezzins, local Arabic daily 'Arrayah' said in a report. For Friday prayers, mosques will be opened 20 minutes before the second call to prayer, as has been announced earlier by Awqaf.
Meanwhile, Covid-19 restrictions will remain in place at mosques, with the wearing of masks and showing the Ehteraz app green status being mandatory. Also, believers should carry personal prayer mats and maintain social distancing.