Only physically fit people must attend Friday prayers in masjids: Grand Mufti

SRINAGAR — Kashmir’s Grand Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam on Thursday urged people of Kashmir not to panic while stating that only “physically fit” people must attend Friday congregational prayers tomorrow in masjids and shrines across Kashmir while as ailing and sick people must stay home.

The final decision whether to ban the Friday congregational prayers will be taken in a crucial meeting which will be convened on Saturday.

Islam said that his fervent appeal to the people of Kashmir is not to create panic as just a single case has been detected in the Valley. “There is no final decision on whether the Friday congregational prayers need to be banned as a meeting to deliberate upon the issue is slated for Saturday where representatives of all the religious bodies will be present,” he said.

The Grand Mufti said that as far as tomorrow’s Friday prayers are concerned, only physically fit people who have no signs of sickness should attend the prayers while as those sick with cold, fever, weakness and other symptoms of flu should sit home including the elderly persons.

The Grand Mufti said that while going to the masjids, people should maintain highest level of hygiene and use sanitizers frequently. “Imams of masjids and shrines must deliver brief Friday sermons and complete sermon and prayers within 15 minutes,” he said.

He urged the administration to ensure all the facilities are kept in place for the pregnant ladies in various hospitals in Srinagar and other districts. The Grand Mufti said that since the economy of people of Kashmir is shattered already, the Government must take steps to ensure that poor are not left on the verge of starvation.