Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh’s chief Shah Ahmed Shafi has supported government’s instruction to say prayer at home avoiding mosques for now as part of its efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
Ahmed Shafi said in a statement on Monday that the government instruction was accurate as per the Islamic rules, reports bdnews24.com.
“The government’s instruction to prevent big gatherings, maintaining social distance, restricting the presence in Jumma and regular congregations… is appropriate according to Islamic laws,” he said.
“It is our duty to value and properly follow the instruction issued by the government,” said the head of the Islamist Advocacy group of madrasa teachers and students.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs curbed congregation at mosques on Monday and asked people to say their prayers at home. People have been instructed to pray Zuhr at home on Fridays, rather than praying Jumma in congregation.
Jumma prayers in mosques must be restricted to 10 devotees, including mosque khatib, imam, muezzin, and khadem, and regular prayers in mosques must be limited to five devotees, including four of them, according to a press release.
