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Coronavirus pandemic: Government decides to 'restrain' Friday prayers

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to 'restrain' Friday congregational prayers owing to fears that the coronavirus pandemic will multiply, said Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Dr. Noor-ul-Qadri, reported Geo News. 

"It has been decided with a consensus that Friday prayers will be 'restrained'," said Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Dr. Noor-ul-Haq Qadri during a news conference. "Only mosques' administration staff and a limited number of worshippers will be allowed to pray inside mosques," he added.

He clarified that mosques will not be closed but prayers and zikr will continue inside them. Dr. Qadri said that the decision had been taken in consultation with ulema belonging to various schools of thought.

"Ulema has been told to tell people to pray inside their homes," he said. "It is not only the job of the government to control coronavirus but also of the people."

The minister said that various programmes, classes, and examinations across various madrassahs in Pakistan had been postponed in light of the outbreak.

Saudi authorities have urged us not to take any final decision on Hajj till 'green signal'

Dr. Qadri said that the government was in constant touch with the Saudi foreign office. "Saudi authorities have asked us not to take any final steps [regarding Hajj agreement] before they give the green signal," he said.

He said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will take the final decision on Hajj 2020 after holding consultations with the heads of various Islamic countries.

"Islam teaches us that the one offering the prayer is more important than the prayer itself," he said. "Governments across the world are making decisions according to the evolving situation. We are doing the same," he added.