Decision on congregational prayers to be made in unison: Noorul Haq

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri has said that the decision regarding congregational prayers like Friday, Taraweeh and Aitkaaf will be made in unison. In a statement, he said the decision will be made after consultation and understanding with the Ulema. He said prominent Ulema of all sects and politico-religious leadership will be taken into confidence during a meeting to be chaired by President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday. Earlier, the Sindh and Balochistan governments banned Friday prayers at mosques due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Sindh government announced suspension of congregational prayers at mosques, including Juma in mosques until April 5, to maintain social distancing to arrest the spread of coronavirus. Adviser to the Sindh chief minister Barrister Muratza Wahab said the government had made the decision after consultation with clerics of all schools of thought. “Major decision by the Sindh government to contain spread of coronavirus, people can no more offer prayers at mosques,” he tweeted. “Only staff of mosques of maximum five people can offer prayers at mosques.” The provincial information ministry said the ban on congregational prayers at mosques would remain in place till April 5.