Clerics to support govt’s anti-Covid efforts

Religious scholars suggest inclusion of virus-specific messages in Friday sermons

PESHAWAR:

Religious scholars from across the province have vowed to support the provincial government’s efforts to tackle the second wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Religious scholars, from different schools of thought, expressed these views during a meeting with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz on Thursday.

Scholars pledged to ensure the implementation of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) precautionary guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in mosques, and other religious places, especially during the large Friday congregations.

They said that mosques and madrassas in the province were at the forefront of implementing the virus SOPs during the first wave of the contagion.

Officials from the provincial health department briefed religious scholars about the second wave of Covid-19. Health department officials said that the second wave was more dangerous and that religious scholar has an important role to play in combating the virus.

Chief Secretary Dr Niaz said that the religious scholars have always supported the government in difficult times and he hoped he can count on their support this time as well.

Dr Niaz directed the divisional commissioners to coordinate with religious clerics in their respective areas for implementation of the coronavirus SOPs.

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