Court rejects plea against congregation curbs

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has rejected the plea filed against the restriction on congregational prayers in mosques, declaring that the authorities are taking the measures to ensure the safety of lives amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The SHC had on Wednesday reserved the judgment on the petition filed by citizen Sumaira Mohammadi.

She had stated that the government cannot stop citizens from going to the mosques, contending that it is a violation of basic rights.

On the last hearing, SHC’s Justice Mohamed Ali Azhar had inquired about the policy finalised by the federal and provincial governments regarding congregational prayers at mosques.

When the hearing resumed yesterday, the additional Sindh attorney-general informed the court that the president would be convening a meeting with religious leaders tomorrow (April 18), during which decisions regarding restrictions for the holy month of Ramadan would be taken.

The mosques are not locked, clarified the additional attorneygeneral, who was also present in the court to brief the SHC bench on the steps taken by the government to contain the epidemic.

After the arguments were concluded, the SHC declared the petition as non-maintainable, and stated that the government is using its executive powers to ensure the safety of people and that the court could not interfere in policy matters.

Prayers can be restricted in the light of decrees issued by the clerics, the court order said.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad

Ali Shah had announced that a complete lockdown in the province from noon to 3pm after a meeting with religious leaders, who signaled their support for the decision.

In a meeting with Ruet-e-Hilal Committee chairman Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman and scholars from different sects, the chief minister said: “I thank all the ulemas for co-operating with us so far.

“Hopefully, on Saturday, as agreed with the federal government, new standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be drafted for the mosques.”

“Everything will be closed during the lockdown, while mosques will remain open for limited congregation,” he said. “I have told police to not take strict measures against people going into mosques during the lockdown. In the meantime I appeal to the public for co-operation.”

“The masses should refrain from praying in the mosques,” he said.

Ulema from various schools of thought held a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday to declare that the virus lockdown will no longer be implemented at mosques.

Mufti Rehman said that tarawih prayers and itikaf will continue as per schedule.

He urged those going to mosques to practice social distancing.

Mufti Usmani regretted that people had not followed the government’s guidelines of no more than five people offering prayers in mosques.

He called on people to implement the safety precautions but said that for a Muslim, offering congregational prayers during Ramadan is obligatory.

The cleric requested people to leave for homes and not gather in crowds following the conclusion of prayer.