Violators can be taken to job, warns govt’s spokesperson. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: The Sindh authorities on Thursday determined to ban congregational prayers at mosques to stem the quickly rising novel coronavirus instances whereas the Centre “restricted” the variety of worshippers.
The ban in Sindh will stay in place from March 27 to April 5. Solely three to 5 folks — primarily the executive workers — will supply the every day five-time and Friday prayers at mosques. The restrictions may also apply to non secular locations of different faiths.
“The decision has been made after consultations with religious scholars belonging to all schools of thought and medical experts,” tweeted Murtaza Wahab, the spokesperson for the provincial authorities.
کورونا وائرس کے پھیلاؤ کو روکنے کے لئے حکومت سندھ کا بڑا فیصلہ، مساجد میں عام افراد باجماعت نماز ادا نہیں کرسکیں گے، فیصلہ تمام مکاتب فکر کے علمائے اکرام اور طبی ماہرین کی مشاورت کے بعد کیا گیا ہے۔ مسجد کے عملے سمیت پانچ افراد باجماعت نماز پڑھ سکیں گے۔شہری فیصلے کی پابندی کریں۔
— SenatorMurtaza Wahab (@murtazawahab1) March 26, 2020
Chatting with a personal TV channel, Wahab stated mosques had not been closed and prayers can be supplied there nevertheless it was essential to restrict the variety of worshippers to curb the unfold of the illness.
Earlier, the federal authorities introduced that congregational prayers at mosques can be restricted to a restricted variety of worshippers.
Spiritual Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri stated a consensus had been reached throughout President Arif Alvi’s assembly with clerics belonging to all faculties of thought earlier within the day that mosques wouldn’t be closed and solely their administrative workers and a lowered variety of folks can be allowed to supply prayers there.
“The National Coordination Committee on COVID-19 has decided that mosques would not be closed,” he introduced whereas addressing a information convention. “Azaan and Zikr will continue at mosques.”
The minister added that clerics had been requested to inform folks to hope at their properties. “It’s not only the government’s job to control the spread of the virus, but people also need to take responsibility.”
In response to an announcement issued by the President’s workplace, spiritual students assured
President Alvi that they’d “comply with the instructions” issued by the federal government to curb the coronavirus pandemic and “support its efforts”.
The president highlighted the preventive measures which wanted to be taken by the folks to cease the illness from spreading,” the assertion learn. “He emphasised that the only solution to the present crisis was to maintain social distancing and act upon the guidelines provided by Islam to cope with such a situation.”
The clerics knowledgeable the president that that they had already taken numerous steps together with cancellation of spiritual congregations, postponement of convocations and examinations and saying holidays for over three million madrassah college students.
Alvi chaired the assembly on the President Home. Spiritual students from the 4 provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir participated within the assembly by means of video conferencing from governor homes. The clerics from Islamabad and Rawalpindi have been bodily current there.
AJK President Sardar Masood Khan, Spiritual Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri, governor and Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Qibla Ayaz additionally participated within the assembly.
Hajj agreements
Saudi Arabia has requested the Pakistani authorities to not finalise agreements for the association of meals, shelter and journey for Hajj pilgrims from the nation this 12 months within the wake of the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten wrote a letter to Pakistan’s spiritual affairs ministry asking it to defer the agreements till the scenario grew to become clear.
He knowledgeable the ministry that the Saudi authorities have been intently monitoring the scenario and would hold the Pakistani authorities up to date about any progress.
In response to a spokesperson for the spiritual affairs ministry, the Saudi authorities had requested it to defer the funds for the preparations in the meanwhile to facilitate the intending pilgrims.
Spiritual Affairs Minister Qadri stated the federal government was continually in contact with the Saudi authorities. “They have asked us not to take any final steps before they give the nod,” he added.
The minister additional stated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, would make the ultimate choice about this 12 months’s Hajj.
“Governments across the world are making decisions according to the changing situation. We are also doing that.”
