Okhla: Has restriction been imposed on namazis’ numbers in mosques?
Though many mosques in Okhla had been exhorting devotees to follow Covid norms, a mosque source called the OT on Sunday and said they have received verbal message that from now onwards only 5 people are allowed to offer namaz in mosque.
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On Saturday late night, a resident wrote that only five people are allowed in mosques to offer namaz in Okhla.
A resident aware of this development said Noor and Chand mosques too have received verbal message regarding five namazis in mosque at a time.
Since the outbreak of second wave of Covid and loss of lives, many residents in Okhla had started offering namaz in their houses and were against communal prayer.
Islamic scholar Waris Mazhari has been urging residents to pray at home. “Islam promotes life, not death. There are many who argue that one should not fear a virus but in case of Covid chance of infecting others is very high hence Islam teaches us to take precautions. It is advised to pray at home and avoid frequenting mosques for prayers and even market places for Eid buying,” he said, adding that people should also avoid visiting market areas for Eid shopping.
Of some local Okhal mosques, Ishat-e-Islam Mosque in Abul Fazal Enclave had strictly instructed residents to come to the mosque by performing wadhu at home, bring own prayer mat or (janimaaz), maintain social distance, sanitser and mask.
Later on as cases increased, the mosque banned entry of outsiders to its premises. All told, the situation was not same in all mosques as it was found that in many places people were frequenting to mosques for prayers, said residents.