KARACHI: Despite a ban on congregational prayers (Namaz ba Jamaat) many prayer leaders (imams) attempted to violate the code of prayers.
In order to stop the Coronavirus from spreading the government of Sindh had banned the congregational prayers till 5th of April, 2020. Only 3 to 5 members of the mosque staff are allowed to pray inside the mosque. Karachi Police had arrested 38 prayer leaders and registered 88 FIRs for violating the Sindh government’s restrictions on congregational prayers in the mosques.
According to details the FIRs were registered u/s 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance) and 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the PPC and Section 4 of the Sindh Epidemic Disease Act, 2014.
Punjab government had also directed all the mosques to be locked for Juma prayer and general prayers for five times except only for five people, including the caller for prayer (muezzin) and prayer leader (imam), who would be allowed to perform prayers. In Punjab too a number of prayer leaders were arrested violating the orders and cases were registered against them.
A relevant piece published earlier:
Will ‘Hayya Alassalah’ be changed by ‘Salaat fi Buyut’ in Azaan
ISLAMABAD: Jamia Al-Azhar, an authority on Islamic injunctions, has issued a Fatwa yesterday (Wednesday 27th of March, 2020) saying since congregational prayers at mosques, could result in the spread of coronavirus Muslim countries had full jurisdiction to cancel such gathering.
According to Fatwa the words Hayya Alassalah (come to prayers) need to be by replaced by Salaat fi Buyut (Namaz at your Homes). Fatwa also says families can offer Namaz-ba-jamaat within their homes.
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