THE KENYIAN INTERFAITH COUNCILS GUIDELINES ON THE REOPENING OF CONGREGATION WORSHIP CENTERS DURING COVID-19: A JURISTIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The cabinet secretary for health appointed the interfaith council to oversee the Re-opening of the places of worships. On 7th July 2020 the interfaith council released guideline which drew mixed reactions amongst the Muslim clerics and mosques committees; some decided to comply with the guidelines and re-opened their mosques; while others abstained completely from opening the Mosques. The aim of this study is to explore and discuss the restrictions, which raised tension among the Muslim clerics. The research methodology applied is inductive method for collecting data material related to the study, and descriptive and analytical methods to analyze the Kenya interfaith guideline and compare with Islamic jurisprudence in the matters related to performing devotional acts. Lastly, the study is expected to respond to all questions related to "social distancing of 1.5m between worshipers", "minimizing of worshipers attending congregational prayers", "Reduce physical Adhan", "purifying from home", "matter related to children to follow congregation online ", and use of hand sanitizers"