“Salafists tried to paint the closing of mosques, which was among measures taken by Moroccan authorities to contain the coronavirus outbreak, as an assault on faith and not as a precaution aimed at saving lives.”
This tendency has appeared in other countries as well, and places more people at risk than the true believers who think this way.
“Moroccans reject Salafists’ ‘irresponsible’ attempt at assailing closure of mosques,” Arab Weekly, March 29, 2020:
CASABLANCA– Salafists tried to paint the closing of mosques, which was among measures taken by Moroccan authorities to contain the coronavirus outbreak, as an assault on faith and not as a precaution aimed at saving lives.
The Salafists’ stance was vehemently denounced as “irresponsible” by many Moroccans.
In a video on Facebook, Salafist Sheikh Abou Naim called on the High Council of Ulemas and the Rabita Mohammedia for Ulemas to worry more about places of gambling, selling alcohol and debauchery where deadly diseases spread instead of talking about mosques.
“It is a scandal! Considering that the epidemic has not reached a dangerous level that requires the closure of mosques. It is not necessary to close the mosques and I warn the ministry and the institutions against this measure,” said Abou Naim.
“The country that closes its mosques renounces its religion. Do not despise the mosque, otherwise God will punish you,” he warned authorities.
Abou Naim was arrested March 17 on charges of inciting hatred and making threatening statements.
“Abou Naim’s remarks contained threats of committing dangerous acts that would lead to disrupting general order,” a police statement said….
Hassan al-Kettani, another Salafist advocate, referred to the opinion of Kuwaiti Sheikh Hakem al-Mutairi, who criticised the closure of mosques and suspending Friday prayers because of COVID-19.
“It would have been possible to take precautions against the disease by imposing a curfew if necessary, and forcing people to stay home without closing mosques,” Mutairi said.”
Mutairi claimed there was “no evidence from the Quran or the Sunnah to ban Friday and group prayers as no one had dared before.” Kettani described Mutairi’s views, which he posted on Facebook, as a “great fatwa.”
Morocco’s High Council of Ulemas on March 16 advised closing mosques despite the clamour by Salafists to keep them open.
“Following a request for a fatwa addressed to the Supreme Council by Amir al-Mu’minin, the Scientific Authority for Fatwas of the Supreme Council advises to close the mosques, whether with regard to the five daily prayers or the Friday prayers,” said the Supreme Council of Ulemas in a statement, adding that the procedure was temporary.
Moroccan King Mohammed VI bears the title of Amir al-Mu’minin — Commander of the Faithful — in Morocco….
Dozens of people marched overnight March 22 in Tangier, Tetouan, Sale and Fez, to plead for God to defeat the coronavirus pandemic. The march was in defiance of a public health state of emergency declared March 20.
“God is great! God is great and alone to be [sic] able to help us defeat the coronavirus!” the crowds chanted, prompting condemnations on social media and calls for sanctions….