Pakistan Shia Ulema, Government agreed SOPs to curb spread of COVID-19 for Muharram Processions

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Government of Pakistan on Thursday agreed to allow majalis and religious processions for the month of Muharram subject to the implementation and enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.

It was attended by Religious Affairs Minister Pir Nurul Haq Qadri, Interior Minister Brigadier (Retd) Aijaz Shah and Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, besides the Shia Ulema (scholars) including Allama Arif Wahidi, Raja Nasir Abbas, Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi, Allama Qamar Haider Zaidi, Raja Basharat Imami, and Allama Sajjad Naqvi.

The other provincial governors, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Masood Khan, Allama Afzal Haidri and Allama Hussain Akbar from Punjab, Allama Shahanshah Naqvi, Allama Syed Ali Iqrar Naqvi and Allama Furqan Haider from Sindh, Allama Abid Shakiri and Allama Irshad Khalili from KP, Allama Syed Hashim Mosvi and Allama Sheikh Juma Asadi from Balochistan, and Mufti Kifayat Hussain Naqvi from the AJK participated through video link.

They decided that all religious gatherings for Muharram would bar anyone from attending without a face mask. In addition, no majlis site would have carpets or rugs, any prayer mats would be disinfected with a chlorine bath daily, and social distancing would be ensured at all public gatherings.

Similarly, there would be bans on the participation of elderly and children; mourners would be directed against shaking hands or hugging; no prayer mats or prayer beads would be allowed; and food would be provided in takeaway containers rather than served on site.

According to the guidelines agreed between the government and Shia ulema, mourners would also be barred from touching the Alam (flag), Taazia (miniature mausoleums) and Shabih. Only licensed processions would be allowed and organizer would be required to provide hand sanitizers, face masks, and single use glasses for drinking water, as well as ensuring a limited number of participants.

Addressing the meeting, President Alvi lauded the religious scholars for cooperating with the government during Ramzan and Eidul Fitr to prevent the spread of COVID-19. He said the government hoped for similar cooperation during Eidul Azha and Muharram.

The visiting ulema similarly lauded the president’s role in bringing about national unity and harmony among different schools of thought.

Following SOPs were unanimously agreed by the scholars for Azadari and Majalis:- SOPs for Azadari Majalis:
1. Social distancing would be observed.

2. Sitting places should be clearly marked in the Imambargahs.

3. Wearing of masks is mandatory and no one will be allowed to enter without a mask. The Imambargahs' administration can provide masks outside the entrances.

4. The use of carpets should be avoided.

Disinfected mats can be laid outside the Imambargahs.

5. If there are carpets, they may be sprayed with chlorine daily.

6. Same SOPs should be followed in case of Majalis at homes.

7. Avoid holding long meetings because of Corona. Meetings should be started and ended on time.

8. Elderly people should refrain from attending general meetings and should be restricted to Majalis at home only.

9. The participants of the Majalis should not bring Tasbeeh, Prayer-mat, etc. with them.

10. Hand-shakes and embracing people etc. should be avoided.

11. Parcel should be arranged instead of Tabarak and Niaz at Majalis.

12. Touching of Alam, Taziya, and Shabeeh should be avoided. Ziyarat should be done from a distance.

13. Azadari organizers should stay in liaison with the local administration and cooperate with each other.

SOPs for Mourning, Ashura and Muharram processions 1. Licensed and traditional processions will be allowed during Muharram by adopting precautionary measures (SOPs).

2. The use of face-masks and hand-sanitisers is mandatory in the processions.

3. Adequate distance should be maintained between the persons in the processions.

4. Avoid using shared utensils while drinking water.

5. SOPs implementation should be ensured through volunteer scouts.

6. The number of participants should be kept reasonable, and time should be limited.

7. Elderly and people suffering from various diseases should not be allowed to participate in the processions.


#shia #shiite #islam #muslim #pakistan #Ulema #muharram #eidul_azha

/129