In run up to the holy month of Ramazan, some top government functionaries interacted with religious leaders, Imams and Khateebs of prominent mosques to seek their support and cooperation in fighting COVID-19 pandemic in the Valley.
Basically, the main thrust of the meeting was to seek their support in asking the people to pray at home during the holy month. This would ensure social distancing, one of the fundamentals to contain the scourge.
Subsequently, many religious leaders issued statements including video messages to urge people to pray at home. Even earlier, many religious scholars came forward on their own to spread the message as regards need to offer prayers at home in a bid to protect themselves as well as the others.
Across the Muslim world, the fasting month of Ramazan begins in just day or two, depending upon the sighting of the crescent. Unlike any other in memory, the pandemic has already cast its shadow and has to a large degree altered every aspect of the life.
Not only those from Kashmir, top Islamic scholars across the globe including Saudi Arabia’s grand Mufti has said prayers during Ramazan and the Eid al-Fitr festivities that follow the end of the fasting month should be held at home.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has also asked Iranians not to visit holy shrines during Ramazan or participate in iftar gatherings.
In this month, believers offer additional prayers Taraweeh, mostly in a congregation at the mosque. At most mosques, the entire Quran is recited over the course of the month to make it a source of contemplation. Given the current context, Muslims across the world are worried about how they will perform the additional prayers.
The religious scholars have urged people to offer prayers at home, underlining the contemporary times are unprecedented in many ways and requires an extraordinary response from each one of us. The pandemic has spared almost no country in the world and its outbreak led to fear and anxiety.
The containment of the deadly disease is not only the responsibility of the authorities or medical establishments but it is also the duty of each one of us to do whatever we can to help decelerate the spread of the pestilence.
Prayers This Ramazan
