Riyadh, Apr 20 (IANS): Saudi Arabias top Islamic authority has called on all Muslims around the world to perform prayers at home during the Muslim holy month of Ramazan in accordance with health guidelines to fend off the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The lunar fasting month, set to begin next week, is marked by intense worshipping, but most Muslim countries have closed mosques and banned mass prayers to contain the respiratory illness, reports Efe news.

"Muslims must avoid gatherings, given that the gathering is considered the main cause of the spread of infection, according to relevant medical reports," said the Saudi Senior Scholars' Council, according to state-run Saudi news agency SPA.

Among the significant features of Ramadan is a special nightly prayer called "taraweeh" usually performed congregationally at mosques.

The council added that Muslims should perform communal prayers, including taraweeh, at home if authorities in their respective countries advise it.

The council continued to advise against group meals during Ramadan and stressed the importance of preserving life in Islam.

During Ramazan, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, and smoking from dawn to dusk.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam, has suspended congregational prayers in mosques and temporarily halted pilgrimage to holy Islamic sites as part of restrictive measures against the outbreak of the pandemic.

The kingdom has so far reported 8,274 COVID-19 confirmed cases, the highest among the Arab countries, with a death toll standing at 92.