Morocco Ministry announces no eclipse prayers due to timing

The Moroccan Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs has announced that certain regions of the country will witness a solar eclipse this coming Wednesday. According to astronomical reports, the eclipse is expected to occur from after the Asr prayer until shortly before sunset.

Due to the timing of the event, the Ministry clarified that the eclipse prayer (Salat al-Kusuf) will not be held in mosques. Under the Maliki school of jurisprudence, which is followed in Morocco, the prescribed time for this prayer extends from the time voluntary prayers become permissible until midday (Zawal). Because the eclipse coincides with a period where voluntary prayers are discouraged, the Ministry has advised citizens to instead engage in supplication (Du'a) and seeking forgiveness (Istighfar).