Besmir Yvejsi, Secretary Ishaat, Jamaat Kosovo
More than 20 years ago, when I was a child and we were in a time of war during the Kosovo-Serbia armed conflict in 1998/99, we offered Jumuah prayers with our families at home in fear and anxiety by a known enemy, but now after 20 years, we pray Jumuah prayers at home along with family members to protect ourselves from an unknown enemy.
All praise belongs to Allah that:
اِنَّ مَعَ الۡعُسۡرِ یُسۡرًا
“Aye, surely there is ease after hardship.” (Surah al-Inshirah, Ch.94: V.7)
On 28 May 2020, all the country’s religious buildings were opened in Kosovo, including mosques, churches and monasteries. However, believers who are visiting these by all means should follow a safety protocol that helps prevent the spread of Covid-19.
According to the Ministry of Health for the Republic of Kosovo, it is recommended that Muslims continue to adhere to the prescribed measures to prevent the spread of the virus, which continues to be present in Kosovo.
For example, those who visit mosques in Kosovo should continue to observe the following measures: Ablution should be performed at home; wear masks; hand sanitisers should be available in mosques; maintain social distancing; no gatherings in mosques other than for the purpose of prayer; no lectures other than Friday sermons; Friday sermons should not last more than 10 minutes and finally, communal bathrooms and toilets should not be used.
On 16 March 2020, when the first few cases of coronavirus were recorded, all religious buildings that were visited by believers were temporarily closed by a government decision.
The call to prayer (azan) in the mosques of Kosovo has always been heard, but no one has been able to visit them except the muazzins; the same has happened with the church bells in that they have rung, but no one has been able to visit them on Sundays to attend mass.
However, for Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosovo, it has been something different. Following the government’s recommendations and also in accordance to the instructions of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah be his Helper, many members prayed Friday prayers in their homes with their families. For two and a half months, Jamaat Kosovo has distributed a notice of the Friday prayer every Thursday through social media groups.
On 29 May 2020, at the centre of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kosovo in Prishtina and in its two other branches in Peja and Mitrovica, after two and a half months, the Friday prayer was offered in congregation.
The measures set by the government of Kosovo and the ministry of health were also followed. Many members have felt nostalgia that after such a long interval, they were finally meeting again to offer Friday prayers.
Praise be to Allah the Almighty that Kosovo is slowly moving away from the pandemic. Alhamdolillah