Instructions issued for Eid prayers amid Covid spike

The religious affairs ministry today issued an eight-point instruction -- including keeping soap or hand sanitisers at the entrance of every mosque, maintaining distance and following health guidelines -- during offering Eid-ul-Azha prayers.

The holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second biggest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated across the country on July 10 with due solemnity, religious fervour and zeal.

The ministry has come up with the guidelines following a sharp rise in spread of Covid-19 infections in the country.

According to the instructions, the local administration, law enforcement agencies, local public representatives, and respective mosque committee were requested to ensure that people abide by those instructions.

At the mosques, carpets cannot be laid during prayers. The entire mosque should be cleaned and disinfected before the prayers and everyone will have to bring their own prayer rugs (jainamaz) to the Eid congregations, the instructions read.

Besides, people will have to perform ablution at home, and also have to wear masks before going to mosques. They are also advised not to use the caps and mats provided inside the mosques.

The ministry also requested all not to decorate with any kind of lighting on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.