ISLAMABAD: The capital administration has sought assistance from local ulema and religious leaders to prevent people from gathering at mosques and imambargahs for Friday prayers in light of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

The Auqaf department in Islamabad issued another order on Wednesday restricting daily and Friday prayer congregations in light of directives issued by the government, expert physicians and ulema under which only three to five people, including thekhateeb, imam, muezzinand caretakers, are allowed to pray inside mosques and imambargahs.

All others should pray at home to prevent the spread of the virus, the order said.

The capital administration restricted prayer congregations at mosques and imambargahs last Friday, officials said. Only thekhateeb, imam, muezzinand caretaker were permitted to pray inside places of worship.

Rangers, police to be deployed at mosques whose administrations were critical of coronavirus restrictions

There are more than 900 mosques and more than 300 imambargahs in Islamabad, they said. During a meeting with ulema and religious leaders, 90pc of them agreed to follow the directions but 10pc expressed resentment.

Those who were critical were told that the restriction on prayer congregations will be implemented according to the directives. The administration has also decided to deploy police and Rangers personnel at places of worship whosekhateebandimamrefused to follow the directions.

A capital administration official told Dawn on condition of anonymity that it is extremely possible that Covid-19 could spread further on Friday if people gather to pray at mosques. The administration has already issued an advisory andrequested the concerned authoritiesto persuade ulema and mosque khateebs and imams on this matter, he said.

The official said there was no decision to close mosques, but restrictions have been placed on Friday and daily prayer congregations.

People are advised to stay home and pray there, as they may be infected or infect someone else at prayer gatherings and put their lives and the lives of their families at risk.

The official said that an order or notification enhancing the restrictions may be issued if needed. Two imams from different mosques were booked last Friday for violating the restriction, but no one was arrested.

He said it has been decided to register cases and arrest those who violate the restrictions tomorrow (Friday).

Administration officials said that last Friday, the directives were followed 100pc in Industrial Area, while 1pcof peoplewere observed in mosques in the Secretariat area, 2pc in Shahzad Town, Nilor and Khanna, 3pc in Lohi Bher, Golra, Ramna and Shams Colony, 4pc in Margalla, Noon, Karachi Company and Sihala and 7pc in Kohsar and Bhara Kahu.

One to five people werefound in mosques in Tarnol, five to seven in the Shalimar and Banigala areas, four to five in Koral, 10 to 12 in Sabzi Mandi and 10 to 15 in Aabpara, they added.

The administration has carried out 37 raids and inspected 58 shops in order to implement the various restrictions and closures announced to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. A shop was sealed and 38 people have been arrested.

Those arrested were fined Rs40,000 and 12publicvehicles were also impounded. A dozen cases have been registered for violations of bans on various activities, the officials said.

They added that rations were distributed among 369 families and four places were fumigated.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2020