COVID-19: Pakistan issues guidelines for mosques during Ramadan

Islamabad: Pakistan’s health officials have asked mosques around the country to take specific measures to curb the spread of coronavirus during the holy month of Ramadan.

Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday held a virtual meeting with the country’s religious scholars and urged them to do their part to ensure the implementation of coronavirus guidelines in mosques and Imambargahs during Ramadan.

Dr Alvi, who tested positive for coronavirus last week, said that Imams and Khateebs have close interaction with the public and they must “create awareness about the health guidelines including mask-wearing, washing hands and maintaining social distance.” He urged that people above 65 years of age should pray at home instead of going to mosques.

In his virtual remarks, PM’s special assistant on Health D Faisal Sultan advised the scholars and public to strictly follow guidelines during Ramadan as the third wave of the COVID-19 is most dangerous.

Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said that his ministry has been in contact with all stakeholders to implement the health guidelines in all mosques. Pakistan’s religious body earlier issued a fatwa (religious decree) stressing people should continue to get vaccinated during Ramadan as it would not interrupt fasting.

The organization leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), has issued specific guidelines for places of worship amid the third wave of the pandemic in Pakistan.

In mosques where there is a courtyard, prayers should be offered in the open and not inside, according to the rules. Carpet or rugs will not be laid in mosques and prayers will be offered on the bare floors or prayer mats brought from home. Mosques should also be sanitized frequently.

It is mandatory to wear a mask at the mosque. People older than 50 years, adolescents and those suffering from flu, cough-like symptoms are advised not to come to mosques.

People have been warned to avoid gathering, hugs and handshakes before and after prayers. Praying rows should be aligned in a way that there is a distance of six feet between two individuals.

· Every worshipper must wear a mask

· People older than 50 years and children should not go to mosques.

· Prayers will be offered on the bare floors or on mats brought from home.

· Mosque floors would be sanitized after every prayer.

· There should be a distance of 6 feet between two worshippers.

Mosques have been advised to constitute COVID disciplinary committees to ensure adherence to COVID-19 precautionary guidelines. In case of violation of rules, the government may revise the guidelines, officials said.