Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, who is also chairman, Central Waqf Council, on Thursday, asked more than 30 State Waqf Boards who control seven lakh Mosques, ‘Idgahs’ and ‘Immanbadas’ in the country to ensure “strict and honest” implementation of lockdown curfew and social distancing during Ramzan, starting April 24, in view of Coronavirus epidemic.
The Minister appealed to the people to observe holy month of Ramzan by staying home and demolish rumours and fake news.
Interacting with senior officials of waqf boards from across the country through videoconferencing, Naqvi asked them to create awareness among the people about the lockdown and offer Ramzan prayers by staying inside their homes.
More than seven lakh registered Mosques , Eidgah, Imambadas, Dargah and other religious and social institutions are administered and run by these state waqf boards. Central waqf Council is the regulatory body of the state Waqf Boards in the country.
Naqvi asked officials that all should cooperate with the health and sanitation workers, security and administrative officials, who, he said are working for “our safety and well being.”
“We should also demolish rumours and misinformation being spread about quarantine and isolation centres by educating people that these are for their protection against the coronavirus.”, the Minister said.
He asked all the boards to beware and cautious about “rumours and fake news” and “conspiracies aimed at creating misinformation”. Naqvi said authorities have been working for safety of all “without any discrimination”.
Naqvi directed all the state Waqf Boards to play an active role to ensure that the people follow guidelines during the Ramzan and stay home.
“ In view of the challenges of coronavirus, all the religious-social activities and mass gatherings in all the temples , gurudwaras , churches and other religious places in the country have been stopped”, Naqvi said.
The Minister said religious and social leaders of all the religions have appealed to the followers to offer prayer and religious rituals inside by staying home.
He said Ramzan should be observed by strictly observing the lockdown guidelines and defeat the pandemic challenge.
“ Most of the Muslim nations of he world have also banned mass gatherings at mosques and other religious placed during the holy month of Ramzan”, he said.
Waqf Boards who participated in the conference included those from Sunni and Shia Community. All the states were represented.