Rawalpindi division’s 250 ‘sensitive’ mosques and imambargahs have been violating the government’s 20-point guidelines to counter the spread of coronavirus during Taraveeh and five-time compulsory prayers in the holy month of Ramzan.
DAWN reported that in Rawalpindi division, 250 mosques and imambargahs have been declared sensitive and categorised as A, B and C according to their vulnerability to the spread of the coronavirus. Out of these worship places, 61 are located in Rawalpindi district, 18 in Attock, 42 in Jhelum and 129 in Chakwal. The step was taken when an audit team found many rules, including security measures being violated during congregational prayers at many places.
A spokesman for Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Habib Tajik told the newspaper that most of the complaints were regarding presence of people aged over 50 years and children in the mosques. He said that carpets or mates were found laid in six mosques while clean floor for prayers was not ensured.
“The most serious violation of rules was observed in 52 mosques where people over 50 years of age and children were present during Taraweeh prayers. In 79 mosques and imambargahs, including 54 in Rawalpindi district, private security guards were neither deployed nor performing duties in a satisfactory manner,” the report noted.
The government had allowed congregational prayers in mosques during Ramzan after signing an agreement with the top clerics of the country. Under the agreement, 20 guidelines were issued which had to be followed in the mosques as a part of precautionary measures against the fatal coronavirus.
DAWN reported that in Rawalpindi division, 250 mosques and imambargahs have been declared sensitive and categorised as A, B and C according to their vulnerability to the spread of the coronavirus. Out of these worship places, 61 are located in Rawalpindi district, 18 in Attock, 42 in Jhelum and 129 in Chakwal. The step was taken when an audit team found many rules, including security measures being violated during congregational prayers at many places.
A spokesman for Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sohail Habib Tajik told the newspaper that most of the complaints were regarding presence of people aged over 50 years and children in the mosques. He said that carpets or mates were found laid in six mosques while clean floor for prayers was not ensured.
“The most serious violation of rules was observed in 52 mosques where people over 50 years of age and children were present during Taraweeh prayers. In 79 mosques and imambargahs, including 54 in Rawalpindi district, private security guards were neither deployed nor performing duties in a satisfactory manner,” the report noted.
The government had allowed congregational prayers in mosques during Ramzan after signing an agreement with the top clerics of the country. Under the agreement, 20 guidelines were issued which had to be followed in the mosques as a part of precautionary measures against the fatal coronavirus.