Fatwa calls for banning all political, religious congregations

A joint fatwa by the Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) sought an immediate ban on all political and religious congregations in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

The PUC headed by Maulana Tahir-ul-Ashrafi observed that the entire world was at the potential risk of the deadly coronavirus, adding, “We must follow the guiding principles of the Shariah in order to control the spread of this deadly virus.”

Besides seeking a fair distance between the worshippers at mosques, the fatwa suggested the observance of prayers on uncarpeted floor.

“Now the imams should cut short the Friday prayers duration by excluding the Urdu sermon altogether and only precise Arabic sermon should be given.”

The meeting of the Dar-ul-Ifta Pakistan, Wafaq-ul-Masajid, which took the decision, was attended by religious leaders of various schools of thought.