BENGALURU: Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is observed by Muslims all over the world as a month of prayer, abstinence and fasting. Amidst this month-long period of devotion the Karnataka government issued specific guidelines for the devotees on Tuesday as the state and the nation is hit by the second wave of the COVID-19 virus. 

"The rapid increase in the amount of positive cases across Karnataka and the rest of the country calls for stringent measures of the Covid restrictions. The devotees are requested to follow all the protocols during this holy month who gather for reciting namaz and for rituals in mosques in significant numbers" stated P Manivannan(Secretary) ,Minority welfare.

According to the covid guidelines issued in Karnataka :

●      All the mosques that fall in containment zones will strictly remain closed and no gathering for any reason is allowed, until the situation is under control and the zone is denotified.

●   Every mosque should ensure that the devotees are wearing masks, thermal screening and temperature check is done before entering the mosque, facilities are provided for washing hands, social distancing is being practiced and sanitisers are provided. All these factors have been made compulsory  in all mosques and Eidgah maidans where devotees gather.

●     Devotees  above the age of 60 of age, individuals with comorbidities, pregnant women and kids below the age of ten years are advised to   remain at their houses and offer prayers within safer premises.

●     The guidelines also mandate the use of  different  gates at mosques for arrival and departure respectively to make sure  social distancing is being practiced.

●        All the devotees are advised to use their own respective mats for naaa and for any other ritual.

While the holy season is already a big test in the lives of a muslim, following these guidelines will only make it harder for them. But the guidelines are also essential to maintain the health of the citizens.

One of the prominent aspects of 'Iftar' is prohibited. The order has instructed  organisers not to hold iftar or any other services of food inside the premises of gathering in order  to maintain social distance, hygiene and avoid crowding.

The guidelines also stated that all the mosques should be sanitised every day, without fail after namaz and gathering. Safety measures should be taken by the authorities of the District health if any individual is found to be positive. Immediate disinfection of the premises has to be done and contact tracing as well as other information should be extracted by the authorities,  the order added.

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