The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) has issued a fatwa detailing precautions for coronavirus, according to which:

  • All political and religious gatherings should be postponed.

  • Arabic portion of the Friday sermon should be shortened, while the speech in Urdu should be discontinued.

  • There should be a safe distance between the rows of prayers during congregations.

  • Instead of prayer mats, prayers in mosques should be held on the floor, which should be washed with soap and water.

  • It is recommended for old or ill people to pray in their homes.

  • Instead of shaking hands or hugging, people should say salam to greet each other.

  • It is recommended that prayers should be held in open spaces.

  • Hand sanitisers, soaps and masks should not be hoarded and people involved in the practice should be reported.

  • Cleanliness of bathrooms and sinks in mosques should be ensured.

Opinion

Editorial

Battling hate
Updated 15 Mar, 2026

Battling hate

In the current scenario, geopolitical conflict, racial prejudice and religious bigotry all contribute to the threats Muslims face.
TB drugs shortage
15 Mar, 2026

TB drugs shortage

‘CRIMINAL negligence’ is the phrase that jumps to mind when one considers the disturbing consequences of the...
Chinese diplomacy
Updated 14 Mar, 2026

Chinese diplomacy

THERE are signs that China is taking a more active role in trying to resolve the issue of cross-border terrorism...
Fragile gains at risk
14 Mar, 2026

Fragile gains at risk

PAKISTAN is confronting an external shock stemming from the US-Israel war on Iran that few of the other affected...
Kidney disease
14 Mar, 2026

Kidney disease

ON World Kidney Day this past Thursday, the Pakistan Medical Association raised the alarm on Pakistan’s...
Delicate balance
Updated 13 Mar, 2026

Delicate balance

PAKISTAN has to maintain a delicate balance where the geopolitics of the US-Israeli aggression against Iran are...