Shura Council Health Advisory
In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
In consultation with our Health Task Force and the Board of Imams, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California advises the community to congregate indoors cautiously for services this Friday and follow city/county, state and federal guidelines to minimize the risk of Covid-19 spread in all settings and activities.
Although we are in a better position than December of last year, the pandemic has likely entered a surge period where utmost precautions should be taken to ensure that our institutions and individuals are safe and out of harm’s way as much as possible. The opportunity to gather in our mosques in the holidays is a blessing, but it should be done in a thoughtful way that follows procedures and safeguards the people working and attending.
We must, constantly remind ourselves on how to prioritize the health and well-being of our communities, families and organizations. Please see current California safety measures and CDC toolkit for faith based organizations. Other directives like the ones below from county authorities should also be consulted for compliance regularly: Imperial County, Kern County, LA County, Orange County, Riverside County, Santa Barbara County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, San Luis Obispo County, Ventura County
You can also watch our Shura video with health and faith experts on vaccines put on earlier as well as previously presented (and still applicable) Masjid Manual.
Some simple steps everyone should abide by (in addition to others):
1. Get vaccinated and boosted as eligible
2. Get tested when you’re going to be in high-risk situations for you or those around you, or if you’ve been exposed to a COVID-19 positive person or have symptoms yourself
3. Wear a mask when you’re indoors in a public place or with people outside your household.
4. Practice healthy habits such as hand hygiene, regular disinfection of surfaces and surroundings
5. Stay at home if feeling sick with Masajid offering optional virtual programming where arrangeable.
May Allah help us get through these challenging times collectively and allow us to be in divine protection and direction in all that we do, Ameen.
