Ramadan: Moroccan Health Expert Recommends to Allow Taraweeh Prayers

Rabat – Tayeb Hamdi, a Moroccan doctor and researcher in health policies and systems, has recommended ending the mask mandate in closed spaces starting from the third week of march, with a gradual return of larger events and gatherings in open and indoor spaces, including Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan.

“Morocco must prepare for a safe return to normal life in the coming weeks, like all countries that have managed to vaccinate their populations early and widely,” Hamdi said.

Based on the epidemiological situation in Morocco, the health researcher proposed a relaxation of health restrictions on international travel starting from March, including lifting the mask mandate in open spaces.

Hamdi also recommended the gradual approval of large outdoor gatherings, including Taraweeh prayers in Ramadan, festivals, funerals, and the opening of stadiums.

The medical researcher emphasized the importance of continuing to remind elderly and vulnerable people to avoid enclosed spaces and large gatherings even if they are vaccinated, in addition to wearing masks and respecting the Moroccan government’s health protocol.

Hamdi further argued that it is important to continue the vaccination campaign, given that the third “booster” dose will remain an effective protection against the risk of surging severe COVID-19 cases and mortality among vulnerable people.

“Benefiting from this booster dose today will allow us all to resume a normal life thanks to vaccine protection,” he added.

Regarding the vaccine, Hamdi highlighted that “protection is an individual responsibility, and everyone will have to choose the tools that make up their protection package and the degree of it according to their personal needs, taking into account vulnerable people around them whose immunity does not adequately respond to vaccines.”

Hamdi also argued that it would be wise to vaccinate children under the age of 11 in agreement with their parents, to lower their risks of infection.

Regarding Morocco’s healthcare system, the expert believes that it is time to return to its initial functions of managing all diseases and other health programs alongside COVID-19, and to remedy the delay that has affected a number of medical interventions, insisting however on continuing the vaccination campaign.