As’salaamu Alaykum (peace be upon you):

Today, WA State Governor Jay Inslee issued new guidelines easing restrictions on religious services. He announced the guidelines at a press conference this afternoon, where our own Sister Aneelah Afzali was invited to speak, along with Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee and Rabbi Yosef Schtroks. You can watch the press conference here.

The new guidelines for religious and faith-based services for Phases 1 and 2 of Washington’s “Safe Start” reopening plan are summarized as follows:

• For all counties starting today, religious organizations may host outdoor religious services for up to 100 people max, with appropriate physical distancing measures and safety protocols.

• Counties in Phase 2 can host indoor services for up to 25% of their building capacity or 50 individuals, whichever is less. They can also conduct in-home services or counseling of up to five people, with face masks.

You can read the full guidance in the Governor’s blog post here.

What does this mean for MAPS?

King County remains in Phase 1 of the 4 stages identified by the Governor. As a result, our facility – which has been closed to the public during this pandemic – will continue to remain closed for all indoor religious and other services.

While the Governor has granted permission for outdoor religious services (with proper protection and safety protocols), we do not have the logistical and technical ability to effectively hold our congregational services or other religious programs outdoors. Nor do we know yet what further guidance or limitations, if any, that King County Public Health will issue. For these reasons, we do not plan on holding any outdoor religious services at this time. Rather, we will continue holding our Friday congregational services (Jumuah) virtually. We invite you to join us this Friday at 1:00pm for our Jumuah service.

We will to continue to monitor the situation as we remain actively involved in communicating with the Governor’s office, King County Public Health, and other masajid (mosques) and community leaders to ensure that we keep the community safe and uphold the sanctity of life, even as we explore the best ways to reopen our mosque.  As soon as King County goes into Phase 2, we will put all efforts toward offering services in the masjid while adhering to public health guidelines. We will keep you updated.

Please also continue to pray that this virus is eradicated from the world, so we can collectively gather in person at our blessed mosques soon insha’Allah (God-willing). We look forward to the day when we can once again pray in person inside our cherished places of worship, and express our sincere gratitude for a blessing that many of us may have taken for granted before. Until then, we hope and pray you all remain healthy, safe and blessed. 

Thank you,

Hyder Ali
MAPS President