At a time when social distancing is the need of the hour, the Government of India along with health and medical officials are doing their maximum best at informing people about how it aids in bringing down the spread of the coronavirus to a great extent. With the nation in a lockdown mode from March 25 till May 3 as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's orders, the Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri mosque in Delhi has urged Muslims to stay at home and offer their prayers without stepping out for Ramzan, which will begin on April 23 (Thursday). In a statement, Imam Mufti Mukarram Ahmed said, "COVID-19 is taking a very dangerous form, please listen to the advice of the doctors. Don’t come out of your houses without reason. The fast can be observed at home too. Prayers too can be done alone at home. Please don’t ask neighbours to join you,".

Shahi Imam of Delhi mosque requests Muslims stay home Ramzan

Similarly, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, another notable Muslim body too put forward a request on Monday to Muslims to continue following the lockdown guidelines by adhering to social distancing and perform their Ramzan prayers within the confines of their homes. Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani urged Muslims to include the special 'Taraweeh' prayers during Ramzan in their homes rather than going to the mosques. Madani in his statement said, "In view of deadly COVID-19 that has caused death and destruction all over the world, medical experts have suggested that social distancing is the only option to break the chain of the spread of this dangerous virus,". Likewise, Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had last week on Thursday sent out instructions to waqf boards in all states regarding the strict implementation of the lockdown while laying emphasis on the social distancing guidelines during the holy month of Ramzan.

Shahi Imam of Delhi mosque requests Muslims stay home Ramzan