In a first, clerics ask Muslims of Chandigarh to offer namaz from home this Ramadan

Sector 45 mosque head Kari Shamsher says this is the first time after Independence that Muslims won’t be coming to the mosque to offer namaz during Ramadan, which shows their dedication to preventing the spread of the deadly disease

The heads of the major mosques in the city on Friday announced that this Ramadan or Ramzan, which began on Thursday, all Muslims will offer namaz prayers at home as the places of worship will remain closed amid the Covid-19 curfew.

A notice, appealing to the congregation to offer prayers from home and not visit the mosque, put up outside the gate of Jama Masjid in Sector 20, Chandigarh, on Friday. (Ravi Kumar/HT)

Senior officials of the Chandigarh Police, including director general of police (DGP) Sanjay Baniwal, deputy inspector general (DIG) Omvir Singh Bishnoi and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nilambari Jagadale, were present while the clerics made the announcement at Jama Masjid in Sector 20.

Jama Masjid in Panchkula’s Sector 21 wearing a deserted look amid the coronavirus lockdown.

Heads of major mosques in Bapu Dham Colony, Sector 45 and Manimajra were also present. Maulana Ajmal Khan said Muslims were peace-loving members of society. He prayed that the spread of Covid be contained soon.

Chandigarh DGP Sanjay Baniwal being felicitated by the members of the Muslim community at Jama Masjid in Sector 20 on Friday.

In a show of respect, the police presented the clerics with 1,000 prayer mats and 2,000 packets of dates. The religious leaders in return presented the police officials with perfumed oil