Coronavirus: the cancellation of religious ceremonies in question in Senegal

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Text by: William de Lesseux Follow

The four cases of coronavirus are still at Fann hospital in the infectious diseases department. In the country, preventive measures are in place: interruptions of prison visits, postponement sine die of the day of street cleaning this Saturday by President Macky Sall. This Thursday the secretary general of the association of imams called for the postponement of religious ceremonies.

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Volunteers clean the forecourt of the Massalikoul Djinane mosque, stronghold of the Mouride brotherhood. Everything must be ready for the great prayer. Nearly 10,000 faithful are expected this Friday including Ibrahima Faye. For him no reason to be afraid of the coronavirus. " It is not an epidemic which will prevent Muslims from regrouping, it is a question of faith ", he launches

Imam Khadim Lo prepares his preaching. According to him, religious meetings must be maintained. " We know very well that large gatherings can be risk factors for the spread of the disease," he explains. But we have no fear for prayer. If the threat becomes more serious then only we will make our arrangements ”.

Ask the faithful to stay at home, the measure is for the moment dismissed by Aloïse Wally Diouf director of cabinet of the Minister of Health. “ Religious activities are part of socio-cultural realities. What is needed is to frame them with good awareness. What is necessary is to continue to ask the Senegalese to play their role in detecting but also in limiting the spread of this disease, ”he explains.

At the entrance to Massalikoul, they say they have planned to disinfect the hands of the faithful.

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• Senegal
• coronavirus