ISLAMABAD: Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), Dr. Qibla Ayaz, while endorsing government’s ban on congregational prayers has urged the people to avoid going to mosques and offer Jumma prayer at home to prevent Coronavirus from spreading.
Dr. Qibla Ayaz maintained that those expiring due to Coronavirus should be termed as Shaheed or Jaanbahaq. CII Chairman further said that mosques could be used as community centers to raise awareness about Coronavirus.
He stated that relatives of COVID-19 victims should be allowed to attend the Namaz-e-Janaza. Dr. Qibla Ayaz, insisting the citoyens not to panic advised to adopt all precautionary measures against the mysterious malady.
After a rendezvous CII Chairman stated:
1) The CII endorsed the government’s restrictions on congregational prayers, saying it “expects people … to offer prayers at home to ensure social distancing”. It said the restrictions should not give the impression that mosques have been locked down, but advised people to implement the limits announced by authorities.
2) CII advised government authorities not to arrest mosque imams while enforcing the orders, and seek their cooperation instead so that “they become a part of the government campaign to prevent the coronavirus by adopting safety precautions”.
3) CII Chairman noted that the spread of Covid-19 has nothing to do with any sect or religious group, including Umrah pilgrims, pilgrims to holy sites or members of the Tableeghi Jamaat. In this regard, steps should be taken according to the law and common sense to rectify the negligence that has taken place at the administrative or individual levels.
4) CII advised able citizens to donate the funds they have set aside for Umrah, pilgrimages or other religious rituals to people affected by Covid-19’s economic impact, and especially remember members of minority communities in this regard.
5) CII called upon the government, public and civil society to jointly work to take steps for the economic relief of the people affected by the coronavirus crisis without any discrimination on religious or geographical grounds.
6) CII noted that it will be highly beneficial to make arrangements to support unemployed people through mosques. It recommended treating mosques as community centers and involve mosques imams in the relief efforts.
7) CII suggested that arrangements should be made to give ghusl (bath) to Covid-19 victims in the best possible manner while taking safety precautions. CII further suggested that the fatalities should be referred to as martyrs or janbahaq (dead) instead of halaak (killed).
8) The CII said namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) should be offered for COVID-19 victims and close relatives should be allowed to participate while ensuring social distancing and precautions.
9) CII maintained it was important to restore all human rights of the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir, who remain under lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole world should pay attention to this issue.
10) CII asked citizens to take all safety precautions but advised against creating an atmosphere of fear and panic.
11) CII called upon the government to make suitable arrangements for people stuck abroad or within the country present crisis.
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