Islamic preachers in Bangladesh are taking the lead in creating awareness among devotees requesting Muslims not to visit mosques if they feel sick.
The Islamic Foundation yesterday said all kinds of prayers will continue in Bangladesh, but all the mosques will have to be cleaned and disinfected and prayer carpets or clothes will have to be changed before each prayer.
It also requested Imams to limit the Jamaat and Jumma prayers by praying with a small number of people as a precautionary measure to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country.
The Islamic Foundation has advised people not to visit mosques if they have any of the eight conditions: infected with coronavirus; people with fever, cough, flu or shortness of breath; returnees from Covid-19 infected countries; people who came in contact with infected people; those infected with different diseases; the elderly, the weak, women or children; those engaged in serving the sick and people who fear being infected by visiting mosques.
It also requested people to take precautionary measures before visiting mosques, including finishing the Sunnah and Nafal prayers at home and doing Wudu (ablution) at home.
“Only visit the mosque during Jamaat and go home after finishing the Farz prayers,” said Islamic Foundation.
How will Mosque staff maintain caution?
The foundation has issued an eight-point directive for the Khatib, Imam, Muezzin and mosque committees, including disinfecting the mosques before each prayer, shortening the Jamaat, shortening the Jumma prayers and Khutba, suspension of Dorse Hadith, Tafsir and Talim, in the current situation and more.
It also advised them to keep soap and tissues in the Ojukhana and to maintain social distancing during Jamaats.
It also asked the mosque authorities to take necessary measures if any foreigner is staying at the mosque.
How are Islamic preachers taking the lead in Bangladesh?
The rate of Muslim devotees attending mosques in Dhaka has dropped significantly amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Imams and muezzins of different mosques, in conversation with Dhaka Tribune, said Muslims shall keep their faith in the Almighty.
People with flu, colds and coughs should not come to the mosque. People come to the mosque to attend prayers, but all of them should take protective measures, they added.
Hafez Mawlana Farid Ahmod, Imam of the Baitul Mubarak Jame Masjid, said fewer Muslims are coming to mosques now, but they are trying to ensure everyone washes their hands with soap.
“We also spray disinfectants after each prayer,” he said.
Siddheswari High School Jame Masjid’s Imam, Hafez Mawlana Mufti Abu Syed, and Green Road Jame Masjid’s Imam Abu Bakkar Siddique also said similar things.
Regarding the different types of rumours involving Islam that are being spread on social media, they said it is mentioned in the Quran and Hadith that when people disobey Allah at a mass level, the punishment of Allah ensues. But belief in Allah is also strengthened through tough times, as faith is a hard thing to achieve.
Dhaka Tribune's Arifur Rahman Rabbi contributed to this report