Faith communities react to President Trump’s directive to reopen

Inside the Muslim Association of Puget Sound in Redmond, the largest Islamic center in the Northwest, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr looks very different.

“Thanks to human ingenuity we have been able to do most of what we do on a virtual environment,” said Hyder Ali, President of MAPS.

Ali said typically 5,000 people would visit the facility over the Eid holiday, also known as the festival of breaking the fast which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Instead, they're connecting online, just as they've done for prayer every night during Ramadan.

A line of cars also took part in a gift drive through, going under a balloon arch to receive gifts on this special day.

Ocean Shores Baptist Church held in person services, just days after President Trump declared houses of worship "essential,” while also acknowledging the virus is still a threat.

KIRO 7 also spoke to Rabbi Daniel Weiner of Temple De Hirsch Sinai who points to recent religious gatherings that allowed the virus to spread quickly.

“The ultimate religious value, quite frankly, is the saving of life and the protecting of life and the protecting of the most vulnerable,” said Rabbi Weiner.

Pastor Tor Berg of First Lutheran Church of Bothell also cautions against rushing back.

“The church building is wonderful and beautiful and we want to get back there at some time. To say we're safe to do so now is just not true,” added Pastor Berg.

Though Ali knows his fellow Muslims seek human connection, he says he's following the guidance of the state.

The Governor’s office has said it is working with the faith community to determine how to safely resume.

“Our faith also teaches us that sanctity of human life is greater than even the sanctity of even the mosque. So we have to consider the consequences of our decisions as leaders of the community,” said Ali.

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