Congregational prayers during Ramazan: President outlines plan agreed with ulema

A consultative meeting of ulema and religious scholars held on Saturday presided over by President Arif Alvi, agreed to conditionally allow prayer congregations and Taraweeh prayers during Ramazan.

In the consultative meeting, the 20-point strategy based on precautionary measures was formulated in consensus with the ulema, religious scholars and the provincial governments, including Azad Kashmir's, to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Addressing the meeting, the president said that as per the foundations of Islamic society, we as a nation should exhibit discipline, coherence and national uniformity as we continue our battle against the coronavirus. "We can curb the spread of the virus in the holy month of Ramzan by staying away from crowds and unnecessary gatherings," he said.

Sharing details of the strategy, President Alvi said the government would have the option of reviewing today's recommendations during Ramzan if it was felt that the precautionary measures were not being adhered to or that the numbers of coronavirus-affected people had risen sharply.

The president said that it was decided the floor of mosques would be washed with chlorine-added water.

He said that it had been decided that no carpets would be laid in the mosques and Imam Bargahs and that the prayers would be offered on the floor with a distance of six feet between the people offering prayers.

President Alvi said the people were also required to make ablution at home and wash hands for 20 seconds with soap before leaving for the mosque with masks on their faces.

He said that they were also required to observe social distancing and refrain from any sort of gathering after the prayers.

There would be no gatherings for iftar and sehar in mosques during Ramazan, the president said.

About Namaaz-e-Taraweeh, he said that it was decided that it would be offered within the premises of the mosques, and not on the roads and footpaths.

It was also agreed that mosque courtyards would be used for prayers instead of halls.

The president said that children and people above the age of 50 as well as those suffering from diseases such as flu, fever and cough would not be allowed to come to the mosques for prayers.

He said that Taraweeh could also be arranged at homes.

In the current circumstances, it was also recommended that people observe Aitakaf at homes.

President Alvi said administrations of mosques would also establish committees in order to ensure implementation of those precautionary measures.

He said the mosques' administrations and imams would also stay in touch with the district and provincial authorities, and fully cooperate with them.

The president said that the people of Pakistan wanted to see their political and religious leaders on the same page, and any conflict in this regard would be counterproductive.

The president appealed to the masses to donate generously during the coming month of Ramazan since many madressahs, mosques and welfare organisations looked forward to these funds for covering their routine expenses.