The Iraqi Health Ministry has confirmed that the number of positive cases of the new coronavirus in the country has reached 35 and that two people have died. Experts, however, said that they think there are many more cases than this and that there will be many more to come. The Health Ministry does not have sufficient capabilities to control the numbers of infected people and prevent the spread of COVID-19, the experts added.

In such circumstances, religious gatherings in holy shrines, mosques and other religious centers have turned into a source of concern because of their potential role to accelerate the spread of the disease.

Hazem al-Jumaili, the ministry’s technical undersecretary, stressed the need to close religious sites and halt Friday prayers. He said these gatherings help spread the disease. After collective prayers, worshipers often shake hands and kiss.

Although many religious institutions in this religiously conservative country have been reluctant to go quite as far as Jumail suggests, they have taken several precautionary measures. They also launched an awareness-raising campaign on the implementation of the measures to contain the disease.