NCOC issues guidelines for mosques during Ramadan

NCOC guidelines for Ramadan ban prayers inside halls

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – In the wake of the sudden surge in new coronavirus cases across Pakistan, the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has issued new guidelines for people to follow in the holy month of Ramadan.

According to the guidelines issued by the NCOC, these guidelines are for Namaz and Taraweeh arrangements in mosques and imambargahs. In mosques and Imambargahs, where there is a courtyard, prayers will be offered in the courtyard, not inside. Namaz Taraweeh will be arranged within the boundaries of the mosques and praying on roads and footpaths will be avoided.

According to the guidelines, people should come to the mosque after doing ablution at home and washing hands with soap for 20 seconds. It has also been made obligatory to wear a mask before coming to mosque and not shake hands or hug anyone in the mosque.

Furthermore, People older than 50 years, adolescent children and those suffering from flu, cough, etc have been advised against coming to mosques. carpet or rugs will not be laid in mosques and prayers will be offered on the bare floors or personal prayer mats. The floors of the mosques should be cleaned with Chlorine solution in water.

Rows of the praying individuals should be aligned so that there is a distance of 6 feet between individuals. Mosques have been advised to constitute committees consisting of responsible individuals who will ensure the adherence to precautionary measures.

NCOC has also said that sehr and iftar should not be arranged at the mosque or the imambargah during the month of Ramadan to avoid crowding. If the government feels that these precautionary measures are not being observed or the number of affectees has risen to a dangerous level, it will revise its policy related to mosques.