ISLAMABAD:
With the whole world in the midst of a second wave, medical experts have strongly urged to take precautionary measures. While some religious institutions have advised believers to pray at home realising the gravity of the virus, others have failed to put their egos aside and are urging people to gather at mosques in the name of faith.
While the freedom to worship is a constitutional and human right, it is important for clerics to understand the severity of the situation and its dire consequences. As per reports, lack of observance of social distancing has led to another spike in Covid-19 cases in Pakistan with researchers claiming it to be the start of a second wave. Unfortunately, believers still continue to throng mosques and violate the governments rule. This reflects weaknesses not only on the part of government in implementing its regulations but also of our faith as Muslims. Life is considered as sacred, and in unprecedented situations God has expressed the importance of preserving human life. Apart from being a believer in God, it is incumbent on Muslims to act as responsible citizens since our religion instill in us a sense of social or communal responsibility.
At the end of the day, the government must take a firm decision to ban all types of gatherings even in mosques in order to save people lives. The concerned authorities should bring all relevant religious stakeholders on board and make them aware of the situation. In this crucial time, clerics needs to work with the state in an attempt to save the lives of the general public. In this particular situation, every citizen is urged to cooperate with the government instead of creating problems. Enforcement of law is understandably a governance challenge but it is possible.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2020.
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