Investigation opened into alleged COVID-positive imam delivering Friday sermon

AMMAN — The Ministry of Awqaf Islamic Affairs and Holy Places opened an investigation based into a video that went viral on social media, claiming that an imam delivered the Friday sermon when he had received a positive COVID-19 test. 

The imam, who works at a mosque in Irbid governorate, has been referred for an investigation to ensure the authenticity of the video, according to a statement published on the ministry’s Facebook page.

The ministry urged imams, mosque staff and worshippers to take all safety measures and commit to health protocols to protect themselves and people around them, according to a ministry statement. 

Last month, Jordan entered the third wave of COVID-19, with weekly positive cases soaring to about 20,000, as reported from the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Meanwhile, the ceiling of a mosque in Al Arda, Balqa governorate fell during Friday sermon, according to another Awqaf ministry statement. Husam Al Hiyari, Ministry’s spokesperson, said that there were no reported injuries due to the dropped ceiling.

He added that Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh has followed up on the incident and urged the concerned authorities at the ministry to implement the necessary maintenance of the mosque, according to the statement.

The minister had previously asked all the concerned authorities to undergo the necessary maintenance to all mosques countrywide, the statement added.