Assembling at holy places

All segments of society the world over have joined hands in the war against the deadly coronavirus pandemic. The Al Azhar University in Egypt has issued a fatwa, restricting congregations at mosques as protection from the novel virus. Such a decree was wholly expected as Islam ordains that the faithful should not intentionally expose themselves to life-threatening situations. The religious decree has come at a time when the deadly virus is taking country after country in its grip, and more than one-third of the world has been placed under lockdown. There are few protections from the virus and the most workable is social distancing in view of the infectious nature of the disease.

Al Azhar has asked the old and the infirm to stay in their houses as far as possible considering that such people are more at risk of catching the infection. The fatwa says people falling in this category should say prayers in their houses, and congregations at religious places should be restricted. Congregations at Friday prayers too should be restricted. The purpose is to facilitate social distancing. The fatwa says in view of the gravity of the situation, before the actual Azan, there should preferably be an announcement asking the more vulnerable to say prayers in their houses. The fact that the religious decree has been issued by Al Azhar there is no reason to doubt its authenticity. President of Pakistan Arif Alvi had asked for the fatwa from the Ulema of Al Azhar.

On Wednesday in Karachi, Ulema from various schools of thought issued a similar collective call asking the faithful to limit assemblies at mosques, Imambargahs and other sacred places. Ulema are issuing such calls from all over the country. They have asked the government to keep holy places open and place sanitiser and liquid soap at the entrance. In many Muslim countries, curbs have been placed on congregations at religious places to protect people from the deadly virus. Prevention is better than cure.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2020.

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