ERBIL — After authorities confirmed that an Islamic preacher died from coronavirus to become the first vicim of coronavirus in Kurdistan, Sulaymaniyah branch of Islamic Scholars Union halted Friday Prayers at mosques.

Ata Penjweni, deputy president of the union confirmed to BasNews that they will officially approve the decision later today to protect the people form a further spread of coronavirus.

BasNews previously reported that a 63-year-old Islamic preacher died in Sulaymaniyah on Wednesday after he tested positive for the novel virus.

Family sources told BasNews that the man had suffered from heart diseases, and his health condition further deteriorated after being informed about his test result.

According to official records of Kurdistan Region, only one coronavirus patient has so far died while five other infected are being kept in quarantine.

BasNews