Aatif Qayoom
Srinagar. Mar 26 (KNS): Mufti Syed Mohammad Ashraf Qasmi on Thursday appealed people of Handwara to offer only Zuhr prayers on Friday instead of visiting Mosques for congregational prayers amid COVID-19 pandemic. However he maintained that only 3 to 4 people should visit Mosques and offer Juma prayers across the town.

According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Qasmi said in wake of Corona Virus pandemic and growing positive cases in Kashmir Valley, it has become mandatory to offer prayers at home so that pandemic could be defeated.

He asked people of Handwara to offer only Zuhr on Friday instead of visiting Mosques in bulk for congregational prayers.

"He directed Muazin's across the town to reverberate first call at 01:00 pm sharp followed by second after 10 minutes".

He added at the occasion speakers (Khateeb) should resort to brief speech followed by Salah and all should be culminated within a short period of time.

"At this juncture only 3 to 4 people should come to Mosque and as such maintain the discipline of Islam", Qasmi said.

He further said that the same practice should be followed across the town and appealed rest of the community members to act upon the advisories issued by government religiously and offer daily prayers at home till this deadly virus is overpowered.

Notably authorities on Thursday locked down several Mosques and Shrines in Srinagar district to avoid big gathering on Friday. (KNS)