Germany’s constitutional court on Wednesday overturned a blanket ban on religious services, which was a part of the country’s coronavirus restrictions.
Earlier, a regional court has implemented a blanket ban on religious gatherings.
As banning religious services represents a major infringement on the right to religious freedom, the court’s ruling is an exception, on the condition that sufficient measures to curb the spread of the virus are taken.
The ruling is a response to an appeal from a Muslim association in the federal state of Lower Saxony, which planned to hold Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
In a bid to stem the spread of the virus, Muslim scholars across the world warned the worshippers to follow strict precautions during Ramadan, which is characterised with special prayers at mosques and crowded iftar dinners.
Worshippers at the mosque will, however, still have to comply with social distancing rules and wear a mask.
The constitutional court’s ruling sets a nationwide precedent, and will apply to mosques as well as churches and synagogues.
