The Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) that is heading the task force of COVUID-19 in the country has warned that mosques are turning into hotspots and as a major source of transmission for the novel coronavirus.
On the back of the global pandemic of the COVID-19 that is yet to see the send-off, Pakistan government recently ordered the reopening of the mosques under immense pressure from the clerics due to the month of Ramzan that began on the 23rd of April. As reported by the Efe news, PIMA President Iftikhar Burney addressed a press conference on Saturday and warned that the mosques are becoming a major source of the virus in the country.
Informing the people of Pakistan that the end of the health crisis is a long way off and taking into consideration of the infections in recent days, the doctor strongly advocated against the functioning of the praying centers. The number of coronavirus cases in Pakistan has doubled in the last six days as it reached 12,657 cases with 265 deaths. Among those are 200 medical staff and 100 doctors who are tested positive.
Sindh Province Defies Government Orders
Under the pressure of the influential clerics, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to lift the ban on the functioning of the mosques which had been shut for weeks. The other religious centers too were closed. However, the lockdown of schools and most businesses remain shut.
The opening of mosques has been granted under conditions that social distancing should be maintained with at least 1 meter of distance between each other. The people are asked to carry their own prayer mats and are advised to wash it at home. But the President of PIMA believes that smart lockdown isn’t effective in places like Pakistan. He says,
“We will not be able to keep people inside their homes under a smart lockdown for a longer period of time.”
The secretary-general of the Pakistan Medical Association, Qaiser Sajjad also condemned the move and said,
“There is no point in opening mosques. I ask people to pray at home and celebrate the end of the daily fast at home.”
The Sindh province has gone against the government’s decision to reopen the mosques and has announced that all religious centers will stay closed during Ramzan.
Source: The Times of India
