ISLAMABAD: Acting President Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Assad Qaisar have appealed to the nation to offer special prayers seeking help from Allah Almighty in the nation’s and the government’s unprecedented battle against coronavirus pandemic.

In a video message aired on Monday, the acting president appealed to the nation to take precautionary measures and say joint or individual prayers at 10.30am by coming out of their homes or staying indoors on Tuesday. “We need to pray to Allah Almighty to protect us from this calamity,” the acting president said in the video message to the nation.

The National Assembly speaker in a statement appealed to people to cooperate with the government in the fight against the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, Ulema of all schools of thought of the country have announced complete support to the government in its fight against coronavirus.

Responding to the government’s request, top leaders of seminaries of all schools of thought — Deobandi, Barailvi, Ahle Hadees and Shia — have announced closure of their seminaries till April 5.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2020