As you all know, this has been an atypical year for us, where the COVID-19 pandemic required us to adopt numerous precautionary measures in our day-to-day lives, to protect both ourselves and those around us. In addition, we have had to implement measures for the health, protection and safety of all Jamati members. In order to continue compiling with the recommendations of the health authorities, namely the DGS, religious ceremonies will continue, however, this year there will be no celebrations in any of the Jamatkhanas.
Additionally, as everyone is very well aware, the capacities of all Jamatkhanas have been reduced, in order to maintain the required physical distance. Whenever the capacity of the Jamatkhana is reached, the members of the Jamat will be directed to waiting areas until there is space available in the Jamatkhana, at the end of the religious ceremonies, for those who still wish to enter.
In accordance with the recommendations of the DGS, we very humbly and respectfully ask all members of the Jamat that belong to one of the high risk groups, namely members of the Jamat over the age of 65, with chronic diseases, with compromised immune systems or with underlying health issues, to please attend Jamatkhana on less busy days. It is expected that Imamat Day will be a very busy day.
We would further like to remind everyone, once again, of recent measures adopted by the Council of Ministers and that came into effect on July 1st, which clearly state that it is the civic duty and responsibility of all residents of the 19 affected parishes of Greater Area Lisbon mentioned below, should only leave their homes for essential activities such as: commuting to work, essential shopping, practicing activities such as walking and jogging and to support family members. Under the circumstances and based upon the above directives we, very respectfully, ask all members of the Jamat residing in these 19 parishes to stay home whenever possible, to avoid circulating in public spaces until the situation in these parishes has been stabilized and that the state of calamity is lifted.
AFFECTED PARISHES
Amadora: Alfragide, Águas Livres, Falagueira-Venda Nova, Encosta do Sol, Venteira, Mina de Água;
Odivelas: União das Freguesias de Pontinha e Famões, União das Freguesias de Póvoa de Santo Adrião e Olival de Basto, União das Freguesias de Ramada e Caneças e Odivelas;
Sintra: União das Freguesias de Agualva e Mira-Sintra, Algueirão-Mem Martins, União das Freguesias do Cacém e São Marcos, União das Freguesias de Massamá e Monte Abraão, União das Freguesias de Queluz e Belas e Rio de Mouro;
Loures: União das Freguesias de Camarate, Unhos e Apelação, União das Freguesias de Sacavém e Prior Velho;
Lisboa: Santa Clara.
The Darkhana Jamatkhana of Lisbon and Jamatkhanas of Porto, Oeiras, Seixal, Setúbal, Faro, Portimão, Malaga and Lobito will be open on that day at the usual time.
Darkhana Jamatkhana in Lisbon will open its doors at 6:30 pm and will close 10 minutes after the end of the religious ceremonies.
It is essential that the recommendation given by the public health authorities, namely the DGS, is strictly adhered to for the health, safety and protection of all.
- In order to comply with the necessary distance requirements, the maximum capacities of each Prayer Hall / Salon has been adjusted, with alternative prayer spaces created in the Ismaili Center and in the Jamatkhana of Seixal, where the volunteers will send the members of the Jamat as each hall reaches it capacity.
- Jamat members residing in the Municipalities of Oeiras and Cascais, are encouraged to attend the Jamatkhana of Oeiras, which will take place at: Pavilion 2 of the Sebastião e Silva Secondary School, located at Rua do Liceu in Oeiras.
- The temperature of each person will be taken at the entrance of all the Jamatkhanas.
- All places will be properly marked, with a physical distance of 2 meters in all directions.
- We also wish to inform the Jamat that the water dispensers will not be in service.
Simultaneously, the rules defined by the DGS will also be implemented and must be complied by the Jamat at all times. The primary focus of the rules is to protect everyone.
- Access to Jamatkhana will only be with a facemask on, which should be maintained on your face at all times whilst in the Jamatkhana building. The only exception to this rule is children up to the age of 6 years, who must be accompanied by their parents at all times, and must further ensure that they do not circulate without their supervision.
- At the entrance of every Prayer Hall and social hall you will be required to have your hands disinfected with an alcohol-based disinfectant solution, which will be applied by the volunteers. The disinfectant solution will be available in several places, so you can disinfect your hands whenever you consider it necessary, further more you must disinfect at least twice: first upon entering and then again upon exiting the hall you are in - be it the Prayer Hall or one of the social halls.
- If you plan to attend Jamatkhana, please ensure you give yourselves sufficient time necessary to sanitize your hands and have your temperature taken.
- Please do not bring unnecessary personal items (bags, coats, backpacks, bags, etc.). Please note: The cloakroom will not be operational.
- We humbly and respectfully ask that IF any member of Jamat feels unwell with a body temperature above normal (> 38º) or with symptoms of COVID-19 - fever, cough, tiredness, difficulty breathing, or muscle pain – PLEASE contact the health authorities and stay at home.
- If you have been in contact with anyone infected or are suspected of being infected, in order to ensure the safety of the entire Jamat, we kindly request that you PLEASE stay home for 14 days after contact.
- Only use the properly marked places.
- After sitting in a designated place or chair, please do not change your place, as these are cleaned on a daily basis after religious ceremonies.
- Children up to the age of 12 must sit next to their parents at all times and we ask for their cooperation to monitor their children, and to ensure that they do not move around without supervision.
- We ask all Jamat members to respect any and all instructions given to them by the volunteers.
- At the end of the religious ceremonies, we ask for the Jamats respect, cooperation and discipline, to avoid crowds and gatherings and to maintain the minimum recommended physical distance of 2 meters at all times.
We remind the Jamat that the adoption and adherence of the above behaviors is very crucial and important in order for us to be able to maintain and keep the Jamatkhanas’ open. In addition, complying with these recommendations is critical in order to avoid ANY risk to the health and safety of all the members of the Jamat.
We are counting on the Jamats full cooperation and collaboration.
Imamat Day Mubarak
