The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) on Thursday supported the restrictions that have been imposed on Friday congregations and daily prayers. The council urged the public to offer Jumma prayers at homes and not to associate the deadly coronavirus outbreak with and any particular religious group.
The governments of all four provinces and the capital administration have limited the number of people that can attend Friday and congregational prayers at mosques to 3-5 in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.
DAWN reported that CII in its emergency meeting headed by Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz issued a number of recommendations for the government and the general public regarding the pandemic. The council endorsed the government's restrictions on congregational prayers, saying “it expects people to offer prayers at home to ensure social distancing".
However, CII noted that the restrictions should not give the impression that mosques have been locked down. The council advised the government authorities not to arrest mosque imams while enforcing the orders, instead seek their cooperation.
“The spread of Covid-19 has nothing to do with any sect or religious group, including pilgrims who visited holy sites in Iran, or Tableeghi Jamaat members. In this regard, steps should be taken according to the law to rectify the negligence that has taken place at the administrative or individual levels," Dr Ayaz said.
The religious body also advised the affluent citizens to donate ration bags and especially the funds. “People should donate funds that were set aside funds for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages or other religious rituals to people affected by Covid-19's economic impact, and especially remember members of minority communities in this regard,” CII advised the general public.
The governments of all four provinces and the capital administration have limited the number of people that can attend Friday and congregational prayers at mosques to 3-5 in an effort to curb the spread of Covid-19.
DAWN reported that CII in its emergency meeting headed by Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz issued a number of recommendations for the government and the general public regarding the pandemic. The council endorsed the government's restrictions on congregational prayers, saying “it expects people to offer prayers at home to ensure social distancing".
However, CII noted that the restrictions should not give the impression that mosques have been locked down. The council advised the government authorities not to arrest mosque imams while enforcing the orders, instead seek their cooperation.
“The spread of Covid-19 has nothing to do with any sect or religious group, including pilgrims who visited holy sites in Iran, or Tableeghi Jamaat members. In this regard, steps should be taken according to the law to rectify the negligence that has taken place at the administrative or individual levels," Dr Ayaz said.
The religious body also advised the affluent citizens to donate ration bags and especially the funds. “People should donate funds that were set aside funds for Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages or other religious rituals to people affected by Covid-19's economic impact, and especially remember members of minority communities in this regard,” CII advised the general public.