Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country, the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday issued an urgent notification to take necessary steps to arrange Eid Jamaat for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims.
The notification was issued incorporating the health guidelines set by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
Following are the directives mentioned in the notification:
Every devotee going to mosques for Eid prayers must wear a mask and carry their own jainamaz (prayer mat) and tupee (cap) instead of using those kept at the mosques.
Carpets cannot be rolled out in mosques during Eid prayers and the whole mosque area should be cleaned using disinfectants ahead of congregations.
Soaps and hand sanitizers should be kept at the mosque entrance for devotees to clean their hands before entering the mosque premises.
Social distancing measures and health directives must be followed while standing in the jamaat for Eid prayers.
Children, elderly people, and sick persons are discouraged from participating in Eid prayers.
Khatib, Imam, Mosque or Eidgah Management Committee and local administration must ensure implementation of the instructions.
The notification further said that in case of violation of the aforesaid instructions, the local administration and law enforcement agencies will take legal action against the concerned person.
The notification also requested the local administration, law enforcement agencies, officials and employees of the Islamic Foundation, and the management committee of the respective mosques to implement the guidelines to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Considering the local COVID-19 situation and the risk to the lives of the worshipers, the local administration in consultation and coordination with the public representatives and dignitaries will take the decision to organize Eid Jamaat in mosques, Eidgahs or open spaces.
Source: BSS