Srinagar, March 18 : People must offer Sunnah and Nawafil prayers at home and leave the masjids (mosques) shortly after Fardh (obligatory) prayers, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu & Kashmir, a conglomerate of religious bodies of J&K, said on Wednesday.
MMU, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a stamen issued here, expressed deep concern over the spread of coronavirus that has killed over 7500 people and infected nearly two hundred thousand across the Globe.
‘MMU prayed to Almighty Allah to keep humanity safe from the deadly outbreak, and its spread. “We pray for an atmosphere of peace and health across the world,” reads the statement.
In view of the religious events in J&K, the MMU has called upon the Ulema, Khateebs and management of masajids issued certain guidelines and urged their strict follow up.
Among others, they urged all to refrain from organising events which require large gathering, deliver brief Arabic sermon during Friday congregations and seek Almighty’s refuge from the coronavirus outbreak; people must offer Sunnah and Nawafil prayers at home, and leave the masjid shortly after Fardh (obligatory) prayers. “They must continue with Tilaawat (reading of Qur’an) and Dhikr-o-Adhkaar (remembrance of Allah) at home”.
Every individual, the MMU said, must turn to Allah (SWT) and keep seeking forgiveness of sins.
“The elderly, the sick people are requested to stay home and pray there instead of coming to Masjids.” While greeting other people, the MMU said, handshake and hugs should be avoided.
“Wash hands before entering and leaving the masajids; Limit felicitation and condolence meetings by shortening the duration period; Follow the advice of health experts in letter and spirit.’
The traders, shopkeepers and medical store owners, the MMU said, must refrain from hoarding soaps and sanitisers
“Affluent people are requested to donate sanitisers to masajids, khanqaahs, shrines and imambaras.”
The concerned departments (municipal corporations) must ensure that all the religious sites and the places where religious congregations are held are sanitised on regular basis, it added.