Sheikh Mohamed Omar Dirir, a top cleric in Somaliland, has advised the government to leave mosques alone instead of closing them.
Earlier this week, the National Committee for COVID-19 Preparedness and Response recommended the closure of all mosques in the country.
According to the COVID-19 committee, mosques and all places of worship could boost the spread of the virulent disease around the country.
Sheikh Diriri says the country is not on the verge of a looming crisis that warrants the closure of the places of worship.
He faulted the government’s decision to close mosques while leaving shops that sell Khat to continue operating.
Sheikh Dirir asked the government to make worshipping at mosques optional rather than declaring a blanket ban on them all.