Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman, chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee has supported the decision taken by Prime Minister Imran Khan regarding the extension of the countrywide lockdown and also said that Ulema would indulge in discussions to deal with the congregational prayers.
Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said to the Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, via telephone, that the Ulema have no interest in spreading anarchy in the country.
The minister invited Mufti Muneeb to a meeting on April 18 for a joint decision about Friday prayers and Itikaf. Qadri, a day earlier, also urged Ulema for consensus and informed that clerics of all sects would also be taken into confidence in the meeting.
Mufti Muneeb lamented over the arrests made in Karachi and said that they had mis-committed about not arresting anyone who go to the mosque during the lockdown.
He said. “We are ready to hear reasonable suggestions while standing firm on our principles.”
Mufti Taqi Usmani said that Qadri had invited him for the April 18th meeting.
Mufti Usmani also said that the government is considering the suggestion given by the religious scholars and declared the Ulemas suggestions and demands ‘balanced’
Mufti Rahman said that Itikaf and Tarawih prayers would continue as per schedule, people coming to mosques should practice social distancing.
Meanwhile, Mufti Usmani urged the government to not arrest people from mosques. He said “All those who have been arrested [for coming to mosques] should be released.”
He suggested that worshippers should wear masks, perform ablution at their homes, remove prayer mats from mosques and keep sanitizers at mosques.
On Monday, Qadri said that the whole country will follow a uniform policy that will be drafted by the parties, about Ramazan.
To formulate a comprehensive strategy, the minister said the government will approach Siraj-ul-Haq, Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Sajid Naqvi, Sajid Mir, and other religious leaders.
