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.
.