AIIO appeals to Muslims to maintain social distancing norms in mosques

Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organization (AIIO) has appealed to Muslims across India to ensure social distancing norms as mosques reopen from June 8 onwards. He said people must remember coronavirus is still a health threat and all must learn to live with it.

New Delhi: Expressing satisfaction that mosques across India would re-open for community prayers from June eight onwards, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organization (AIIO), has appealed to all Muslims in the country to ensure social distancing during any gathering in the mosques.

Appealing to the community, the Imam said people must follow the norms of social distancing as coronavrius because of which nation lockdown was imposed in March last has not disappeared and restrictions were removed to lead a life with certain precautions.

"These are trying times, you and I understand it but please don't be under the impression that with removal of restrictions, COVID-19 has also gone," he said.

Ilyasi said as the guidelines of central government were followed, similarly, guidelines by the AIIO must be followed as these are for our own good.

"In case a mosque has capacity of 100 people, only 50 must go there so that social distancing could be maintained," he said, adding that it would not be possible for people managing the mosques to sanitize washrooms and other facilities there, people should come ready from their respective homes with caps and everything.

He also asked people to leave the mosques right after offering their prayers as gatherings could lead to unwarranted infections.

Few days ago, the union government announced that religious places along with other facilities and business establishments would be re-opened from June 8.