KARACHI: The Sindh authorities ‘s choice concerning a ban on congregational prayer couldn’t be applied totally on Friday as individuals flocked to numerous mosques in Karachi and different districts to attend the congregational prayers.
In a video, which went viral on social media, the station home officer (SHO) of Kharadar could be seen inside New Memon Masjid within the port metropolis’s Kharadar locality interesting to the individuals to return dwelling because the mosque is closed.
Scores defy ban on congregational prayer and flock to one in every of Karachi oldest mosque, New Memon Masjd.
Regardless of police and officers urging individuals to remain dwelling and shutting the mosque entrance, over 100 individuals prayed on the premises.#CoronavirusPakistan
Video through WhatsApp pic.twitter.com/WJXU7T0UUi
— The Categorical Tribune (@etribune) March 27, 2020
“The government has made the decision for your safety. When Holy Kaaba is closed and the Saudi government is planning to cancel Hajj, then why are you insisting to come inside and offer prayers. The mosque committee has also agreed to close its doors to the public, so please go and pray at your home. This is my request,” stated the police official within the video.
However the crowd of individuals standing exterior the mosque grew to become emotional and began chanting slogans. This compelled the police officers to open the mosque’s doorways.
The identical scenario was witnessed in Defence View Part 2, the place the police, utilizing loudspeakers, had been requesting the individuals to return to their houses, however all in useless.
“Life and death is in the hands of Allah. The western countries have created fear in the name of the virus. We will prefer to die, but can’t stop congregational prayers,” stated Qadeer Khan, who was standing Quba Mosque in Defence View.
A number of mosques had been open for congregational prayers within the districts of Hyderabad, Larkana, Mirpurkas and Sukkur.
In one other video, a police officer was seen interesting on a loudspeaker, asking individuals to return to their houses, however a lot of individuals provided their prayers on the street.
At a mosque in Sukkur, individuals had been saved at a distance after they insisted on providing prayers. Police later arrested greater than a dozen people.
Folks saved at a distance after they insisted on providing prayers, they had been later arrested. Picture: EXPRESS
Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, whereas chairing a gathering on Friday, took sturdy exception to individuals providing congregation prayers in mosques.
“We have to make sure that the government’s decision is implemented. Why are crowds of people are roaming in various areas and why did they attend Friday prayers,” an official aware of the event informed The Categorical Tribune. “I once again appeal to the people of this province as well as the country to please stay at home,” he stated.
Issuing orders on Thursday, the Sindh authorities stated the choice to ban congregational prayers was taken after session with non secular students of various faiths.
“We will take action if anyone violates the Sindh Epidemic Disease Act 2014 under which the ban is imposed,” Sindh minister Nasir Shah had introduced.
In response to officers in Sindh authorities, police have arrested individuals in Sukkur and different areas for defying the federal government orders.
