‘For Namaz, It Is Necessary To Live’:  Shia Cleric Says In Video Conference With Yogi Adityanath, Encourages People To Stay Home

Prominent Shia Muslim cleric and scholar from Lucknow Kalbe Jawwad has appreciated Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's efforts towards fighting Covid-19 in the state.

Jawad was speaking during a video conferencing session held by Adityanath to seek the cooperation of religious leaders in the fight against Covid-19.

Jawad said that to be able to observe namaz, it is necessary to live, and to live, it is important to follow the suggestions of doctors and the administration, and that itself will benefit everyone.

In the video session, Adityanath said that Covid-19 is a communicable disease, which does not discriminate on the account of religion, views and community.

Adityanath mentioned the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India's fight against Covid-19. He stated that efforts from the state administration towards fighting the virus are reaping results. However, there is a sudden change in situations owing to cases surrounding the workers of the Tablighi Jamaat.

Adityanath said that the state government was making all efforts to get the situation under control, and the suggestions and cooperation from religious leaders in this regard will strengthen the efforts.

The Jagran report says that while there are people who seem determined to break the protocol of the nationwide lock down in the name of religion, and ensuring that community prayers take place, their religious leaders want to cooperate with the state government in combating the virus.

The report says that Muslim religious leaders have stated clearly in the video conferencing session with Adityanath that namaz can be observed only when people remain alive for observing the namaz.

Last week, when Covid-19 cases bolted from the Tablighi Jamaat conference in Delhi's Nizamuddin area, Adityanath had to cut short his touring schedule to Ghaziabad.

The situation demanded a quick review of measures towards quarantining the Jamaatis. The related impact of the spurt in cases on the existing set up of quarantine facilities also needed a review and additions, such as the integrated emergency control room, which was kicked into action by Adityanath this week.

Last week, this IANS report on the Outlook website said that Sunni cleric Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali has said in a video message that Tablighi Jamaat, a religious organisation, ‘should have adhered to the safety protocols announced by the government.’ According to the report, Maulana said that ‘investigations should be held in the incident to fix responsibility in the matter.’

Some criticism also came from Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi. According to the Outlook report, he said that ‘some fundamentalist Muslims were trying to undermine Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to control Coronavirus.’ He added that in case deaths took place due to this, action should be taken against people responsible.

At Adityanath's video conferencing meet, Muslim leaders gave a set of suggestions and observations. Maulana Masood Madani from Saharanpur said that people who are quarantined should get a feeling that they are under arrest. He added that in order to quarantine positive and suspected Covid-19 cases, help from religious representatives and religious leaders should be sought. They should be taken into confidence.

Maulana Khalid Rashid Mahali gave a suggestion that a video clip based on the conversation of the religious leaders with the CM should be shared with mosques and Muslim majority areas. He said that the clip should be played every 4-5 hours and that committees to fight coronavirus spread should be constituted in every ward.

At the session, Adityanath thanked religious leaders who helped in the cancellation of all celebrations surrounding Navratra and Ramnavami during the lockdown — last month. He said that leaders and people of other religions too had pitched in help and cooperation during the lock down.