Thousands of Muslims headed to mosques, particularly the Grand Mosque, Wednesday evening to perform the Qiyam (late night) prayers amid some swine flu concerns.
Doctors emphasized that Qiyam prayers strengthen muscles and the heart, balance sugar levels, burn access calories, improve body flexibility, and reduce stress and depression.
However, some people feared that being in crowded mosques would increase the spread of the swine flu virus.
Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), a number of people expressed their concern of getting the virus, while others said they would go to mosques without any fear.
Abdulraheem AlـSheikh said he would go to the mosque as he does every year, adding that the virus could spread anywhere.
"People should not fear going to mosques to perform prayers because of the virus, as they go to public places like work and markets every day," he stressed.
Meanwhile, Mohammad AlـShammeri said that he prays Qiyam prayers at the Grand Mosque every year and meets his friends and some of his relatives there.
However, this year he would be performing the prayers at home, saying he was choosing to refrain from going to all crowded places because of the virus.
On his part, Director of the Health Ministry''s Public Health Department Dr. Rashid AlـOwayesh told KUNA Wednesday that it is important that people refrain from shaking hands and kissing cheeks of other people.
"In case people shake the hand of others, they must clean their hands immediately with hand sanitizers," he highlighted.
He also urged people to use their own prayer carpets at mosques and to seek medical care and avoid unnecessary interaction with others as soon as they show flu symptoms like sneezing and coughing. ـ

Alwatan Daily