People prefer to stay away from mosques for Friday prayer

ISLAMABAD: Public throughout the country including federal capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi followed the directions of government to limit the number of people in congregational prayers at mosques on Friday.

All mosques in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad were without people on Friday. The mosque’s management also removed prayer mate from majority of mosques while several Nimazis turned back to homes.

The management of mosques displayed notices asking people not to come in mosques for Jumma prayer. Police and Rangers officials have also deployed around mosques stopping public to enter in mosques for Friday prayers.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat and Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Capt (R) Anwarul Haq on Friday advised people to pray at homes in order to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

They requested all those in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to pray at homes. Mosques are requested to limit prayers to their staff only," they said.

There were limited people in Faisal Mosque on Friday.

Renowned religious scholar Mufti Taqi Usmani urged people to respect the decision of the federal government to limit the number of people in congregational prayers at mosques around the country in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

The federal government on Thursday decided to restrain Friday congregational prayers as new cases of the novel coronavirus continued to emerge across the country.

In the light of federal government decision, Rawalpindi and Islamabad managements asked the people to offer prayers at homes. They made announcements through loudspeakers.

The City Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi Muhammad Ahsen Younas along with other police officials went to mosques and met Maulanas. He requested Maulanas to advise people to pray Zuhr prayers at homes. He said that they are strictly following the directions of federal government.

The Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat has issued directions that mosques will not be closed. Only mosque’s staff of three to five people will pray in mosques.

Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noor-ul-Haq said that ‘Only mosque’s administration staff and a limited number of worshippers will be allowed to pray inside mosques.