Mosques to remain open during Ramazan

KARACHI: Renowned religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani has said that mosques would remain open in the holy month of Ramazan in Karachi with maximum preventive steps to limit the spread of coronavirus.

While talking to media after the meeting of religious scholars from all schools of thought in Karachi, he said people are not implementing the lockdown guidelines. He asked imams and people to wear face masks during their stay at mosques.

He also urged people to respect the decision of the government and severely implement the lockdown orders, adding that old citizens and COVID-19 infected people not to visit mosques.

A joint statement has also been issued demanding the provincial government to withdraw all FIRs against the clerics registered during lockdown.

Mufti Taqi said the Urdu language sermon would not be delivered during the Friday prayers, while all prayers would be offered as per the routine in mosques.  

On this occasion, another prominent religious scholar, Mufi Muneeb ur Rehman said from today five-time prayers and Friday prayers will be offered as per the normal routine, adding that all precautionary measures would be adopted during prayer.

He said Mosques would not be included in the lockdown impact. He said all scholars had agreed with these decisions.

On April 13, more than 53 senior clerics of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, belonging to the Wafaqul Madaris al Arabia had held a meeting in Islamabad and warned the government to withdraw all decision regarding the closure of mosques across the country.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced to extend the lockdown across the country for the next two weeks with the partial opening of some sectors.

Addressing the nation after a meeting of National Coordination Committee (NCC), the prime minister said the government had made the tough decision of imposing lockdown in the country which was very well implemented due to the cooperation of the people. 

PM Imran Khan said the government took a number of steps to stop the spread coronavirus in the country which has lead to encouraging results as the spread of coronavirus slowed down to 30 percent of the projected target.

The number of COVID-19 cases has jumped to 5,716 in Pakistan, which has claimed three deaths during the last 24 hours in the country.

According to the latest statistics released by the national dashboard, out of 5,716 infected persons, 1,378 have recovered their health and were discharged from the hospitals across the country, while 46 are still in critical condition.