Govt allows communal prayers at mosques
Devotees have to maintain social distancing and follow 12 health guidelines
After a closure of more than one month because of the coronavirus outbreak, the government has decided to reopen mosques across the country for all to offer communal prayers including Taraweeh from Thursday.
People are allowed to go to mosques, but this is a subject to them following 12 health guidelines, according to a circular from the Religious Affairs Ministry on Wednesday.
The decision has come at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly in the country, and the number of infected patients is breaking the record every day.
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Earlier on May 4, the government decided to reopen all shops and shopping malls across the country from May 10 for Eid-ul-Fitr.
In the latest order, it is mentioned that, in the case of prayers in mosques, people have to maintain social distancing of at least 3-feet.
The ministry also said in the circular, "Local Administration and law enforcement agencies, Islamic Foundation officers and employees and related mosque management committees should ensure that guidelines are followed."
The state minister for Religious Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah told The Business Standard, "Stern action will be taken if anyone is found ignoring the imposed conditions."
All mosques should be disinfected before every prayers, and there should be one gap in between two serials.
The people have to do their wudu, the ritual washing of hands and feet before prayers, from their homes, and wear a mask before going to the mosque.
No sick, elderly people and children are allowed to go to the mosque for prayers. Furthermore, no one can use the mosque's reserved material, according to the circular.
On April 6, the ministry directed all devotees to avoid mosques, and offer prayers at home to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
It also asked Muslims to offer Zohr prayers at home instead of Jum'a prayers in a mosque on Fridays.
Meanwhile, the ministry decided on April 23 that only 10 Muslim devotees and two imams would be allowed to offer Tarawee prayers at mosques during the holy month of Ramadan.
