The government has asked Muslims in the country to refrain from arranging iftar and sehri (fast breaking and night meal) at mosques during the holy month of Ramadan amid increasing trend of coronavirus infection.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs gave with the instruction in notification issued on Monday.
The ministry also asked devotees to keep social distancing during their prayers and to offer obligatory prayers only at mosques with an aim to curb virus infections.
It asked all to wear face masks mandatorily before entering mosques, and also asked the management authorities not to use common carpets at mosques to ensuring use of personal prayer mats.
“Soap-water with hand sanitiser/hand washing system should be kept at the entrance of the mosque and the incoming worshiper must come to the mosque after wearing a mask,” it read.
“Everyone should perform no-obligatory prayers from their home and come to the mosque having performing ablution at home; if not, wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds while performing ablution at mosque, it read.
Social distance must be ensured when standing for prayers in lines, it mentioned, suggesting children, elderly and sick persons refrain from participating in Jamaat.
Local administration and law enforcement agencies will take legal action if anyone is found not to be comply the instructions.
The ministry requested local administration, law enforcement agencies, officials and employees of the Islamic Foundation and the management committee of the concerned mosques to implement the guidelines to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
