Muslim groups issues guidelines for Masjid committees ahead of re-opening of mosques in Karnataka
Bengaluru: In the wake of the State government’s plans to re-open places of worship starting June 1, several Islamic organizations and Muslim groups have sent out guidelines to mosque committees to ensure the implementation of government regulations.
In a joint press statement, the organizations have sent out 11 guidelines to the Mosque committees urging them to follow the guidelines and take necessary health precautions, maintain safety standards in the wake of the spread of the deadly virus.
“Coronavirus pandemic is continuing to spread fast and is not likely to end anytime soon, therefore the government has decided to normalize the daily conducts of life. In this situation, it is the responsibility of Masjid committees to ensure the implementation of Government regulations, take necessary health precautions, maintain safety standards, and make sure people coming to the masjid for prayers practice it” the joint statement added.
The guidelines urged the committees to not use masjid carpets and ablution tanks adding that if it was not possible to remove the carpets proper cleanliness and hygiene should be followed. It also asked the committees to completely stop the use of towels and topis in the mosques.
The second guideline-directed the committees to ensure that the floor of the mosques is cleaned regularly with Phenyl, Dettol, or other disinfectants. It also added that people should avoid using mosque toilets and latrines as much as possible and that it should be cleaned using Phenyl, Dettol, and other disinfectants.
It also called on people to perform wudhu at home and to bring their own prayer mats to the mosque for offering the prayers.
“Before entering the masjid clean your hands with sanitizer, soap, or hand wash. Ensure social distancing while entering and leaving the masjid and wear a mask while coming to the Masjid” the statement added while adding that people should also avoid hugging and handshakes in the Masjid.
It also urged people to spend the least time in the Masjid and added that they should prefer praying Sunnat and Nawafil prayers at home while praying farz namaz at mosques.
“Imams and Khateebs are requested to keep the Farz namaz and Jumma khutbah short” it stated.
“Maintain social distancing during Farz namaz. Keep a distance of at least 3 feet between each person. Create marking for these in the masjid rows before itself. During these days, if required more than one jamaat can be organized for Jumma namaz in different timings. Old aged men, children, and people who are having cough, cold, or fever should not come to the Masjid. Be careful while coughing or sneezing and take all precautions. Also, avoid coughing, sneezing, or spitting in public places” it further added.
The press statement was issued jointly by Ameer-e-Shariat – Hazrat Sagheer Ahmed Khan Sb Rashadi, Dr. K. Rehman Khan, Moulana Mufti Iftikhar Ahmed Qasmi, Moulana Mufti Aslam Rashadi, Moulana Muhammad Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Dr. Mohammed Saad Belgami, Moulana Syed Shabbir Ahmed Nadvi, Moulana Qari Muhammad Zulfikhar Raza Noori, Moulana Ejaz Ahmed Nadvi, Moulana Zainul Abiden Rashadi, Mufti Shamsuddin Bijli Qasmi, Moulana Abdur Raheem Rashidi, Moulana Abdul Qadir Shah Wajid.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Right to vote under threat, must be made fundamental right: Cong's Jairam Ramesh
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged on Thursday that the right to vote is under threat and the time has come when it should be made a fundamental right for citizens.
Speaking with reporters, Ramesh lashed out at Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, saying the Election Commission (EC) has never been as compromised as it has been under him.
"The rot started under his predecessor. This man is a player and not a neutral observer," the Congress leader said, slamming Kumar.
Kumar is completely compromised and has become a player in elections, he alleged.
"Home Minister Amit Shah had talked about three Ds -- detect, delete and deport. So we want to know how many non-Indian citizens have been detected, how many have been deleted and how many have been deported," Ramesh said, adding that the right to vote is now under threat.
On opposition parties submitting a fresh notice in the Rajya Sabha, seeking to move a motion for the CEC's removal, the Congress leader said they will continue to make efforts for Kumar's removal as he is "compromised".
Ramesh also batted for the right to vote to be recognised as a fundamental right.
"I believe that the time has come that the right to vote should be made a fundamental right. It is a statutory right, it is not a fundamental right. Fundamental rights are justiciable," he said.
The former Union minister said this was discussed in the Constituent Assembly, but it was eventually decided that it should be made part of the Constitution.
B R Ambedkar and Jagjivan Ram had warned that in the future, governments might try to disenfranchise voters, he added.
"Once and for all, include the right to vote as a fundamental right for Indian citizens," Ramesh asserted.
