During the first Taraveeh prayers on Friday more than 80 percent of the mosques in Punjab did not implement the 20-point SOP which was formed as part of an agreement between the government and top clerics of the country.
Pattan Development Organisation conducted a survey and deployed 40 observers in this regard. Each observer visited four to five mosques during Taraveeh prayers on Friday to conduct the survey. The survey report said, “Mosques in Punjab and Islamabad did not follow four of 20 points in agreement regarding Covid-19 precautions. Violation of the agreement is highly likely to continue in coming days unless the government takes stern action against the violators.”
The surveyors observed 194 mosques in 15 cities and towns and photographed the violations. The data released by the organisation showed that in 96pc of the observed mosques, people were found praying on pavements and roads and nearly 89pc of the worshippers did not wear face masks.
“72pc and 69pc of the observed mosques, the worshippers did not maintain the 6ft distance and were found doing ablution in the mosques,” the report noted. It further said that in more than two-thirds of the observed mosques, children were also found alongside their elders.
The report demanded the government and health authorities to disinfect mosques on a daily basis as it was highly likely that the virus would be carried by worshippers to their homes and communities. The observation was made in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Kamalia, Jhang, Layyah, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Shorkot, Kot Addu and Alipur.
Pattan Development Organisation conducted a survey and deployed 40 observers in this regard. Each observer visited four to five mosques during Taraveeh prayers on Friday to conduct the survey. The survey report said, “Mosques in Punjab and Islamabad did not follow four of 20 points in agreement regarding Covid-19 precautions. Violation of the agreement is highly likely to continue in coming days unless the government takes stern action against the violators.”
The surveyors observed 194 mosques in 15 cities and towns and photographed the violations. The data released by the organisation showed that in 96pc of the observed mosques, people were found praying on pavements and roads and nearly 89pc of the worshippers did not wear face masks.
“72pc and 69pc of the observed mosques, the worshippers did not maintain the 6ft distance and were found doing ablution in the mosques,” the report noted. It further said that in more than two-thirds of the observed mosques, children were also found alongside their elders.
The report demanded the government and health authorities to disinfect mosques on a daily basis as it was highly likely that the virus would be carried by worshippers to their homes and communities. The observation was made in Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Kamalia, Jhang, Layyah, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Muzaffargarh, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsa, Shorkot, Kot Addu and Alipur.