Govt imposes conditions on offering prayers at mosques

The government has issued a nine-point condition on offering prayers at all religious institutions, including mosques, to contain the spread of coronavirus as the country has recently witnessed an unusual rise in COVID-19 infections and deaths.  

In an urgent notice issued today, the Religious Affairs Ministry requested the authorities concerned and devotees to follow these conditions in offering Jamaat (congregational) prayers in the religious institutions of all religions.

Hand sanitisers must be kept in or hand-washing arrangements should be set up at the doors of mosques, and devotees must wear masks before entering mosques.

Everyone should perform ablutions from their homes, offer sunnah prayers at homes and then come to the mosques, and must wash their hands with soap for at least 20 seconds while doing ablutions.

Carpets cannot be rolled out in mosques. The entire mosque must be cleaned with disinfectant before daily prayers. The Muslim devotees must bring prayers mats in mosques within their responsibilities.

Social distancing must be ensured in standing for prayers in lines.

Children, elderly and sick persons and those engaged at service of the sick people must refrain from participating in Jamaat prayers.

Soaps or hand sanitisers should be kept in the ablution places of mosques to prevent infections. Prayers mats and caps kept in mosques cannot be used.

The guidelines of Cabinet Division, the Health Services Division, local administrations and law enforcement agencies must be followed aiming to ensure the safety of people.

After prayers, Khatibs, imams and devotees will offer doa to the Almighty Allah seeking relief from the coronavirus epidemic.

Khatibs, Imams and the mosque management committees will ensure implementation of the conditions.

While entering all other religious institutions or places of worship, devotees must wear masks, wash their hands with soap or clean hands with hand sanitisers and follow social and physical distancing accordingly.

If anyone violates the conditions, the local administration and law enforcement agencies will take legal action against his or her, the notification said.

Source: BSS