ISLAMABAD: Sermons at mosques and Imambargahs will be regulated and monitored during Ramazan, sources told Dawn on Monday.

Assistant commissioners, magistrates and SHOs along with their teams will regulate and monitor the activities in and around the worship places, the officials of the capital administration and police said, adding it would ensure that sermons, especially Fridays, were given on five pillars of Islam, Ahle Bait and fundamental rights, along with over two dozen selected topics.

The officials said the capital administration would also keep an eye on collection of donation, especially cash by banned outfits, the sources said.

The administration and Khateeb of all the worship places had been asked to submit an affidavit that they would follow all the instructions issued from the capital administration and police, the sources said.

So far an assurance has been taken from mosques that they will close all the worship places shortly after Taraweeh and open at Sheri.

Islamabad administration will ensure sermons are given on five pillars of Islam, Ahle Bait and fundamental rights

Only one gate will be used for entrance and exit, besides, no one will be allowed to stay there after closure of premises, they added.

The capital administration has divided 990 mosques and 33 imambargahs in three categories, puting 43 mosques and 21 imambargahs in Category A, 351 mosques and seven imambargahs in Category B and 596 mosques and five imambargahs in Category C.

The worship places have been divided into categories after a security audit by Special Branch of the capital police, Counterterrorism Force and other police wings, in collaboration with intelligence agencies.

Over 3,100 armed policemen, volunteers, and private guards will provide security to the worship places.

A team of an ASI or head constable along with three constables will guard a worship place of Category A, and a constable would guard a worship place of Category B.

Private security guards and volunteers will guard the worship places of the Category C, they added.

Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat told Dawn that police officials and magistrates had been given security duties at the worship places. A few activities, like use of loudspeaker, have been banned under Section 144. Friday sermon can be delivered on loudspeaker, he added.

Permission was granted to few worship places on their request to arrange Dars-i-Quran after Taraweeh, he added.

Police spokesman Inspector Khalid Awan, when contacted, confirmed that affidavits had been obtained from the administration of the worship places and khateebs.

Any activity in the 100 metre radius of the worship places has been banned under Section 144 during the month, including collection of donation.

Joint teams have been constituted to monitor sermons and other activities in and around the worship places, he said.

Replying to a question he said that the capital administration would decide whether or not written Friday sermon is provided to Khateebs.

Meanwhile, extra contingent of police have been provided to police stations for security duties at markets.

Besides, police stations have been directed to coordinate with office-bearers of traders union in their respective areas to ensure security.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2019