CII seeks keeping Friday congregations short

Council chairman says currently situation is not such that Friday prayers are not offered

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has prepared recommendations regarding the holding of religious congregations in the wake of coronavirus threat.

The council has called for keeping the Friday prayers short by reciting a brief Khutba and urged the elderly and children not to visit mosques.
Currently, the situation is not such that the Friday prayers are not offered or mosques closed, said CII Chairman Qibla Ayaz while speaking to The Express Tribune on Monday.

He noted that the final decision of holding Friday prayers congregations rests with the government.



“If the situation worsens and the government imposes restrictions on holding Friday prayers congregations, people will have to follow the directions,” he said.

Ayaz called for postponing the continuation of religious gatherings in the wake of the virus threat.

Meanwhile, the CII recommendations will be forwarded to the federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday (today).

The National Security Committee had tasked the CII to consult with the ulema regarding the holding of religious congregations especially the Friday prayers.

The religious affairs minister then held talks with the scholars belonging to different schools of thought.