Washington, May 23: President Donald Trump has labeled churches and other houses of worship as “essential" and called on governors nationwide to let them reopen this weekend even though some areas remain under coronavirus lockdown.
The president threatened Friday to “override” governors who defy him, but it was unclear what authority he has to do so.
“Governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now — for this weekend," Trump said at a hastily arranged press conference at the White House. Asked what authority Trump might have to supersede governors, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said she wouldn't answer a theoretical question.
Trump has been pushing for the country to reopen as he tries to reverse an economic free fall playing out months before he faces reelection. White evangelical Christians have been among the president's most loyal supporters, and the White House has been careful to attend to their concerns throughout the crisis.
Following Trump's announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for communities of faith on how to safely reopen, including recommendations to limit the size of gatherings and consider holding services outdoors or in large, well-ventilated areas.
Public health agencies have generally advised people to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people and encouraged Americans to remain 6 feet (1.8 meters) away from others when possible. Some parts of the country remain under some version of remain-at-home orders.
In-person religious services have been vectors for transmission of the virus. A person who attended a Mother's Day service at a church in Northern California that defied the governor's closure orders later tested positive, exposing more than 180 churchgoers. And a choir practice at a church in Washington state was labeled by the CDC as an early “superspreading" event.
But Trump on Friday stressed the importance of churches in many communities and said he was “identifying houses of worship — churches, synagogues and mosques — as essential places that provide essential services.”
“Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential” but not churches, he said. “It's not right. So I'm correcting this injustice and calling houses of worship essential." “These are places that hold our society together and keep our people united,” he added.
Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, said faith leaders should be in touch with local health departments and can take steps to mitigate risks, including making sure those who are at high risk of severe complications remain protected.
“There's a way for us to work together to have social distancing and safety for people so we decrease the amount of exposure that anyone would have to an asymptomatic," she said.
A person familiar with the White House's thinking who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations said Trump had called the news conference, which had not been on his public schedule, because he wanted to be the face of church reopenings, knowing how well it would play with his political base.
Churches around the country have filed legal challenges opposing virus closures.
In Minnesota, after Democratic Gov. Tim Walz this week declined to lift restrictions on churches, Roman Catholic and some Lutheran leaders said they would defy his ban and resume worship services. They called the restrictions unconstitutional and unfair since restaurants, malls and bars were allowed limited reopening.
Some hailed the president's move, including Kelly Shackelford, president of the conservative First Liberty Institute.
“The discrimination that has been occurring against churches and houses of worship has been shocking," he said in a statement. "Americans are going to malls and restaurants. They need to be able to go to their houses of worship.” But Rabbi Jack Moline, president of Interfaith Alliance, said it was “completely irresponsible” for Trump to call for a mass reopening of houses of worship.
“Faith is essential and community is necessary; however, neither requires endangering the people who seek to participate in them,” he said.
“The virus does not discriminate between types of gatherings, and neither should the president." Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, a Democrat, made clear that churches and other houses of worship will not resume in-person services in her state until at least next weekend and said she was skeptical Trump had the authority to impose such a requirement.
“It's reckless to force them to reopen this weekend. They're not ready,” she said. “We've got a good plan. I'm going to stick with it.” New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, said he would review the federal guidance, while maintaining a decision rests with him.
"Obviously we'd love to get to the point where we can get those open, but we'll look at the guidance documents and try to make some decisions rather quickly, depending on what it might say,” he said. “It's the governor's decision, of course.”
The CDC more than a month ago sent the Trump administration documents the agency had drafted outlining specific steps various kinds of organizations, including houses of worship, could follow as they worked to reopen safely.
But the White House dragged its feet, concerned that the recommendations were too specific and could give the impression the administration was interfering in church operations.
The guidance posted Friday contains most of the same advice as the draft guidance. It calls for the use of face coverings and recommends keeping worshippers 6 feet from one another and cutting down on singing, which can spread aerosolized drops that carry the virus.
Comments
May Allah grant him Jannatul Firdous. He was an ideal for many, Respected by both Muslims and Non-Muslims. Loss for Mangalore community, a peace bearer has passed away. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un.
Great personality. I knew Moulana Syed Yusuf Saheb since my college days in 1969 and I have attended many of his Friday Jumaa sermons (Qutbahs) at Kachi Meman Masjid in Bunder, Mangalore. He used keep a good relationships with youngsters and inspire and encourage them to carry out the noble deeds for the betterment of communities and the society.
May Allah forgive him and accept all his good deeds. May Allah bless him with the bounties of Jannatul Firdous. May Allah give sabr to the grieved family to bear the loss of their dear one.
Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Rajivoon. Heartfelt Condolences.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilihi rajiwoon . Alhamdulillah, I am fortunate enough to have met & benefited from both of you. May Almighty bless today's imams/moulana's with wisdom similar to that of Moulana Yusuf saheb.
Allah SWT please accept his service to islam, to mankind, may grant him magfirah and cause him to enter highest level of Jannah. Aameen.
May Allah reward my grandfather with Jannatul Firdaus!!
Alhumdulillah, he has done so much good in his life.
He was one of the most generous and pious people I've ever known.
May Allah give us the guidance like my grand father to follow the righteous path to practice n preach! Indeed he was is n insha Allah vl b a grt personality ! Very soft spoken very humble down to earth personality !! May Allah accept his good deeds his work n forgive his mistakes n save him from fitnah of barzaq n grant him peace in his abode n grant him the glad tidings of jannah !! Ameen !! We will miss our nana dearly
*Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raajioun*, may almighty allah bless late moulana syed yusuf saheb,
With jannathul firdouse, aameen. He was one of the rare islamic scholars, with rich bundle & store of knoweldge of deen and duniya, keeping a very low profile and non-controversial & a broad minded humanitarian. Indeed, in his death the muslims of mangalore / d.k.dist / udupi dist, in particular and others in general, are deprived of a high thinking and simple living scholar in this modern era. As holy quran says *kullu nafsin zaayikathul mouth*(every living soul has to taste death)., each & every one of us has to face & taste death, when our living term ends in this world. But in this joureny between life and death, we have to live with our noble living and leave this temporary world to the ever lasting eternal world, with the memory to be cherished with, by the living masses. May almighty allah give strength, patience and forebearance to the family members of late moulana syed yusuf saheb, to bear the bear the brunt of bereavement, aameen. May almighty allah guide & protect all of us, aameen.
Very true brother
Aameen.. absolutely true
Exactly.. absolutely true
Very well said.. absolutely true...
Inna lillahi wa Inna ilaihi raajioon. He certainly was a testament of not just an amazing Muslim but also an amazing human being. he was a man of complete integrity.. he was someone who did not have even an ounce of pride and was an extremely down to earth person.... I consider myself extremely fortunate to have known him so very well and to have learnt all the immense knowledge from him.. he has departed from this dunya but he will remain in our hearts perennially. May Allah grant him jannathul Firdous. Aameen
End of era. No Muslim youth who attended his sermons can go astray. We need scholars like him to educate and enlighten Muslim youth and prevent them from going astray. May allah accept all his deeds and reward him immensely.
يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ ارْجِعِي إِلَى رَبِّكِ رَاضِيَةً مَرْضِيَّةً فَادْخُلِي فِي عِبَادِي وَادْخُلِي جَنَّتِي
Moulana was great personality. Embodiment of simple living high thinking. Lived upto what he preached. Remained non controversial all his life. Very knowledgeable but extremely humble. His moderate and unique style of delivering khutbah impressed many,including me . He was taking keen interest in current affairs and concerned about global status of ummah. He always motivated me with his superlative appreciation and generous words. Always encourged me to deliver khutbas in his place , whenever I was in Mangalore. May Allah give him highest abode in Jannah
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajivoon. May Allah grant him magfirath and mashrat. I remember Moulavi Saab as a soft spoken, kind hearted,highly knowledable person but with down to earth approach. Moulavi Saab always make it a point to attend " Bearys Welfare Forum "- Abu Dhabi, arranged mass marriages at Mangalore ,and encouraged us to do more to the poor and needy in the society.
My usthad. The one who guided me and helped me to change my life. Inna lillahi va inna ilaihi rajivoon. May allah grant him one of the highest positions in jannah.
Very said. This is a loss not only for Muslim community, but also for all communities in Mangaluru. He was a true religious leader. May his soul rest in peace.
Innalillahi Wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiwoon.
Add new comment