ISLAMABAD: Council of Islamic Ideology Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz has urged the people to avoid going to mosques and offer Friday congregations prayer at home under the prevailing situation.
Talking to journalists on Thursday, he called for adopting preventive measures but said that cleric should not be arrested but rather persuaded to work alongside the government to contain the pandemic. He further said that mosques can be used as community centres to raise awareness about coronavirus and in the distribution of rations.
He further called for using the word ‘shaheed’ (martyr) for the ones who died from the virus and that relatives should be allowed to attend the funeral prayers of those who died due to coronavirus, while the burial process should be carried out keeping in view the religious and humanitarian norms.
The chairman said that the mosques should play a role of community centres and instead of arresting prayer leaders and authorities should seek their support in implementing preventive measures.
Qibla Ayaz said that the minorities should also be taken care of during the pandemic and economic relief should be given irrespective of religious and ethnic discrimination. He urged the government, civil society and masses to work jointly to defeat the pandemic.