SARWAR AWAN
ISLAMABAD TThe Government, after a consultative meeting of Ulema chaired by President Arif Alvi here on Saturday, decided to give conditional permission for congregational prayers and Taraweeh during Ramadan and agreed on 20-point strategy amid coronavirus in the country. Talking to media after the meeting, President Arif Alvi presented the agreed points and urged people to follow precautionary measures of their safety and also urged religious leaders and the public to observe discipline while organising events for Ramazan. Earlier, presiding over a meeting with ulema, the president appealed to the masses to donate generously during the coming month of Ramazan since many madrassahs, mosques and welfare organisations looked forward to these funds for covering their routine expenses. “As per the foundations of Islamic society, we as a nation should exhibit discipline, coherence and national uniformity as we continue our battle against the coronavirus,” the president said, adding “We [as a nation] can curb the spread of the virus in the holy month of Ramazan by staying away from crowds and unnecessary gatherings. The president maintained that the people of Pakistan wanted to see their political and religious leaders on the same page and any conflict in this regard would be counterproductive. “We have sought proposals from the provincial governments to incorporate their point of view while taking any any decision in this regard.” “We will seek forgiveness and salvation during the holy month,” the president said, adding that he was hopeful that all preventive measures would be taken to curb the spread of coronavirus during Ramazan. “The virus prevention strategy for the holy month of Ramazan will be devised after developing a consensus with religious leaders. In today’s meeting, consensus on 20 points has been developed,” he said. “The success of the strategy depends not only on the government or the religious leaders but on every single individual,” he added. “As part of the virus prevention, carpets will not be laid in mosques,” he said. “For the taraweeh prayers, people should avoid congregating outside mosques or on footpaths along the road. People should avoid gathering in large numbers outside mosques President Alvi also asked religious leaders across the country to ensure that there was a space between people when they congregated inside mosques for prayers. “The floors of mosques across the country will be cleaned with chlorine to disinfect them. Markers will also be made on the ground for the people to stand when they pray,” he said. “Prospering nations do not follow rules and regulations forcefully but with free will, therefore administration can help us in enforcing the decided SOPs but it is the job of citizens to ensure that all precautionary measures are fully implemented,” he affirmed. “Ramazan is a month of worship and Muslims love this month a lot. It was necessary that government’s recommendations and ulema’s recommendations be collected before any decision was taken,” Alvi said during the press conference. “Special prayers should be made for those in Kashmir during Ramazan,” the president reminded the nation. The president had also said that he had consulted with different political leaders over the last few days and sought proposals from the provincial governments for guidelines to be observed during the holy month in mosques. “The message of discipline to cope with coronavirus must emanate from mosques,” he said. “We have to follow discipline as per the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).” President Alvi said mosques will remain open in Ramazan but citizens must adhere to the strict guidelines. The president said people above the age of 50, minors and those suffering from flu will not be allowed to enter. Alvi said carpets must not be used, instead, people should pray on floors, adding that those who want to bring their own janamaaz [prayer mats] may do so. He underscored that worshippers must maintain a distance of six feet when praying and people should wear face masks and avoid shaking hands or embracing others. The president said if during the month of Ramazan, the government feels that these precautionary measures are not being followed or that the spread of the virus is not being contained, then the government can revisit its decision. The following are the 20-point agenda on mosques and congregations agreed upon between the government and ulema: * No carpets in mosques and imam bargahs. People are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats. * Social distancing will be observed. * Refrain from talking and discussions in mosques. * Mosques which have compounds will hold prayers outside rather than inside the building. * Elderly and sick people will not come to mosques. * Taraweeh preparations will be made only in mosques, not on roads * People will be encouraged to offer taraweeh at home.* Mosque floors will be washed with chlorine disinfectants. * Prayer mats will also be disinfected with chlorine mixture. * Congregational rows will be formed with a 6ft distance be between worshippers. * Committees will be formed to ensure preventive steps are followed. * Ablution should be performed at home. * Necessary to wear masks at mosques. * No handshakes or hugs * Worshippers will refrain from touching their faces. * Better to do atekaf at home * No preparations for sehri and iftaari be made in mosques. * Mosque administration will remain in contact with local police administration and cooperate with them. * Mosque administration and police are asked to maintain social distancing during prayers.
