Thousands of faithful observe ritual of Itikaf across country

LAHORE (92 News) – Thousands of faithful will sit in mosques to observe ritual of Itikaf across the country on Thursday. According to a notification issued by the government, the Punjab government imposed ban the spiritual ritual of Itikaf (religious seclusion in the Mosque) across the province in the wake of coronavirus epidemic. The ban will also apply to the seclusion of Itikaf (when Muslims spend the last 10 days of the month in mosques to pray and meditate). However, the government allowed holding of ritual of Itikaf on the limited scale. Instead of collective Itikaf, only four to five people will sit in mosque observe Itikaf on the basis that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the government are strictly observed. Meanwhile, the children and old-aged persons will not be allowed to observe the ritual of Itikaf. According to SOPs, in case of non-compliance with SOPs, the responsible will be held accountable

Conditional Itikaf allowed in Islamabad

On the other hand, people in the federal capital will be able to sit in mosques for the last 10 days of Ramazan in i’tikaf after the district administration granted conditional approval for the annual religious practice. Only those mosques will be allowed [to let people in for itikaf which are spacious and which ensure the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the district administration Itikaf will not be allowed in such mosques lest they help spread the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), which has so far infected at least 759 people in the city and claimed at least six lives. It is pertinent to mention here that the faithful observing Itikaf sit in seclusion in mosques and worship till the sighting of the Shawwal moon. During this period, they will offer special prayers and seek Allah Almighty’s blessings and mercy. In major mosques, lectures from religious scholars have been specially arranged for Itikaf observers.