Mubashir Bukhari
Srinagar (NVI): For the first time in recent history, Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir skipped Friday congregation prayers in masjids, as the UT administration had appealed people not to be a part of public or religious gatherings, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
Every Friday, Muslims across the world offer Friday prayers in congregation at a Masjid with a large gathering of people from the community.
J&K administration has advised people to stay at home and avoid huge congregations, in line with similar restriction orders in the country to restrict the spread of coronavirus. The country is currently under a 21-day lockdown to combat COVID-19, from March 25 to April 14.
J&K government spokesman Rohit Kansal tweeted: “DCs and SPs advised to strictly caution all religious leaders not to call any gatherings. Public gatherings a major source of social contact and spread of the virus.”
Kashmir’s Grand Mufti, Nasir-ul-Islam had also appealed people not to offer Friday prayers in Masjids. “We are heading towards a disaster. To stop it, there should be no Friday prayers in any mosque or shrine,” he had said.
Most of the religious heads of the Masjids have been asked to limit the number of people to masjids. “It’s for the first time, we are facing such a situation that we have to skip Friday prayers,” said a local resident.
Besides, large contingents of forces have been deployed all over the state to restrict any unnecessary public or traffic movement. In J&K, curfew-like restrictions entered the ninth day today.
Police has said that they won’t honor any identity cards of staff engaged in essential services, and has advised them to obtain passes from concerned district magistrates.
Junaid Azim Mattoo, Mayor of Srinagar, also asked people not to perform Friday prayers in mosques.
The Municipal Corporation of Srinagar earlier this week had cleaned all the temples and historical mosques here.
The number of COVID-19 positive cases has already reached 14 in J& K while one infected patient succumbed to his condition in a Srinagar hospital yesterday.
