Pakistan's religious clerics have issued a fatwa (religious decree) saying that all political and religious gatherings in the country should be postponed immediately. Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) issued the statement following its meeting headed by the body's chairman Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi.
The fatwa urged public to follow the preventive measures announced by the authorities to contain coronavirus, adding that Urdu sermons during the Friday prayers should be stopped and the Arabic ones should be cut short.
It further advises a 'safe distance' between the rows of worshipers, and that they should avoid praying on the prayer mat. The fatwa says the public should pray on floors instead, and asked them to use an open space for the prayers. Moreover, the elderly and those unwell have been asked to pray at home instead of going to the mosque.
The clerics also emphasised on the importance of cleanliness of bathrooms and ablution spaces at mosques. Further, the fatwa calls on philanthropists to donate sanitisers and soaps to deal with the outbreak.
The fatwa urged public to follow the preventive measures announced by the authorities to contain coronavirus, adding that Urdu sermons during the Friday prayers should be stopped and the Arabic ones should be cut short.
It further advises a 'safe distance' between the rows of worshipers, and that they should avoid praying on the prayer mat. The fatwa says the public should pray on floors instead, and asked them to use an open space for the prayers. Moreover, the elderly and those unwell have been asked to pray at home instead of going to the mosque.
The clerics also emphasised on the importance of cleanliness of bathrooms and ablution spaces at mosques. Further, the fatwa calls on philanthropists to donate sanitisers and soaps to deal with the outbreak.