Charlottetown mosque requiring proof of vaccination - Action News
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PEI

Charlottetown mosque requiring proof of vaccination

"We have asked that everybody should be double vaccinated, so we can minimize the contact and spread of COVID-19," Muslim Society of P.E.I. president Dr. Najam Chishti said.

Unlike many places of worship, the mosque is going beyond CPHO requirements

Muslims attending the Masjid Dar As-Salam mosque in Charlottetown have to bring their own prayer rugs and leave physical distance among worshippers. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

Worship ceremonies on P.E.I. are exempt from the P.E.I. Vax Pass regulations, but one religious group is requiring proof of double vaccination from worshippers.

Muslims attending the Masjid Dar As-Salam mosque have followed guidelines like face masksand physicaldistancing since the start of the pandemic they must evenbring their own prayer rugs.

"We have asked that everybody should be double vaccinated, so we can minimize the contact and spread of COVID-19," Muslim Society of P.E.I. president Dr. Najam Chishti said.

The society has had the requirement in place since the province brought in theP.E.I. Vax Pass program a week ago.

"It's for the safety of everybody, and people have been receptive.They've all abided by this. And those who do not want to come to the mosque, they still are praying from home ... Yes, it's your choice.But stay home."

Rules elsewhere beingrevisited

This comes as vaccination rules for religious ceremonies are being re-examined in some other provinces, including New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador where recent outbreaks have been linked to church gatherings.

President of the Muslim Society of P.E.I., Dr. Najam Chishti, says he's heard no complaints about the mosque's vaccine mandate. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

Both provinces have now given religious organizations an option to either require proof of vaccination or lower capacity, and bring back other restrictions.

P.E.I.'sChief Public Health Officesays it already has a long list of rules in place for religious gatherings, includingmasking, cohorting and physical distancing between households.

The lead pastor at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cornwall says he willcontinue to put his faith in the CPHO.

Pastor Philip Woodworth says his church is abiding by public health requirements that currently do not require congregations to show proof of vaccination. (Steve Bruce/CBC)

"We'll do all that public health is asking us to do. We don't want to go out in front of them, nor do we want to lag behind and push against.Soour approach has always been we will respond as public health makes the decisions," said Philip Woodworth.

Though some churches have at least wrestled with the idea of requiring vaccination.

Spring Park United Church recently sent a letter to its congregation saying the leadershiphad an open and honest conversation about it, but ultimately decided against itout of respect for personal choice.

Spring Park United Church in Charlottetown is encouraging its congregation to get vaccinated but is not making proof of vaccination mandatory. (Steve Bruce/CBC )

"We strive to find a balance between respecting individual choices and reminding everyone that as members of this community of faith, we need to look out for each other," the letter said.

"So we encourage you, if you are able to, please get vaccinated."

P.E.I. has not had any outbreaks stemming from religious gatherings.

Dr. Najam Chisti says the Muslim Society is doing its part to keep it that way.

With files from Steve Bruce