President Dr Arif Alvi Saturday announced a 20-point strategy in complete consensus with ulema for congregations at mosques and Imambargahs during the holy month of Ramazan, advising the faithful to observe precautionary measures while performing religious obligations without dropping the guard against the coronavirus pandemic.
The president made an announcement after chairing an hours long consultative meeting with all the provincial governors, president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, governor of Gilgit Baltistan and ulema from all provinces at the President House via video link.
Minister for Interior Ijaz Shah and Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri, Chairman Islamic Ideology Council Qibla Ayaz and a number of prominent ulema including Pir Naqeeb ur Rehman, Allama Arif Wahidi, Pir Chiraghuddin Shah, Maulana Hafiz Ishaq Zafar, Mufti Gulzar Naeemi, Raja Nasir Abbas, Maulana Tanveer Alvi, Pir Aminul Hasnat Shah, Maulana Abubakar Siddique and Dr Sahibzada Sajid ur Rehman were present during the meeting.
According to the announcement, the use of rugs and carpets in the mosques and Imambargahs should be discarded whereas the floors should be properly disinfected with use of chlorine-mixed water. Congregation and Taraweeh prayers should be held in open spaces adjacent to the mosques and Imambargahs. Other significant points include: people older than 50 years of age, those suffering from flu, cold and cough symptoms and young children should avoid visiting mosques and Imambargahs.
The faithful were encouraged to bring with themselves rugs and small mats. Stress was made upon social distancing and avoidance of gatherings after prayer time. Ablution should be performed at homes with frequent adherence to hand washing as advised. A distance of about six feet among the faithful should be maintained during prayers. The announcement also contained a sketch of how people should occupy places while offering prayers. Taraweeh and prayers should not be offered at foothpaths and roads.
In collaboration with the administrations of mosques, Imambargahs and administration concerned, a committee should be constituted which will ensure implementation of these precautionary measures. Masks should be used during visits to mosques and Imambargahs and people should avoid touching their faces with hands. Proper hand washing should be made after return from performing religious obligations.
Collective arrangements for Sehar and Iftar should not be made whereas the people should make arrangements for ‘Itikaf’ at their homes. However, it was emphasized that the administrations of mosques and Imambargahs were given this conditional permission of holding these congregations with strict adherence to the precautionary measures. If the government feels that these steps are not fully implemented, or in case the affected number of people increase, the government can review the policy. The government also reserves the right to change its directions and policy in view of an affected vicinity.
The president addressing the media prior to making the announcement said he held a lengthy meeting in which historic consensus was evolved after submission of recommendations and guidelines about Taraweeh prayers in view of the pandemic. He thanked the political leaders, governors, chief ministers and ulema for helping devise a comprehensive policy over the congregations and Taraweeh during the holy month of Ramazan. He also stressed upon the people to continue their generosity of Zakat and donations through mosques and madaris in this holy month. The meeting also prayed for the alleviation of miseries and sufferings of the Kashmiri people in the occupied valley and the resolution of the issue.
In his opening remarks during the meeting, the president said the Muslims have great attachment with the mosques, especially during the holy month of Ramazan, therefore a policy should be drafted by developing a consensus among the nation under the recommendations of ulema and output by the government.
