Virus fears: CII chief urges people to offer Friday prayers at home

Dr Qibla Ayaz says ulema have assured the government that people would obey lockdown directives

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) has urged the people to offer Friday prayers at home as long as the country remains in lockdown to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Speaking to the state-run PTV on Thursday, CII Chairman Dr Qibla Ayaz said the council held a meeting with President Dr Arif Alvi, who also urged the faithfuls to avoid congregational prayers, and instead pray at home in view of the virus outbreak.

He said that on the request of government, Ulema have realised the need of social distancing and precautionary measures against the highly-contagious disease.

"Ulema have assured the government that people would not come out to offer prayers in mosques and will follow government's lockdown directives," Dr Ayaz added.

Appreciating the role of Ulema for cooperating with the authorities during the difficult times, he expressed hope that the masses would practice social distancing and would offer their prayer at homes.

The CII chief urged the common people, civil society and the government to work jointly for containing the further spread of coronavirus in the country.

He also called upon the citizen to avoid panicking and adopt all precautionary measures to contain the deadly virus.