Clerics in Hyderabad urge Muslims to pray at home during Ramzan

Clerics in Hyderabad on Friday appealed Muslims to offer prayers during Ramzan while staying in their houses and not to gather at mosques keeping in view the COVID-19 outbreak.

Also, the doors of the city's Mecca Masjid have been shut due to spread of the lethal infection.

" Due to this pandemic and the extension of lockdown in Telangana, we will not be allowing anyone to enter Mecca Masjid for offering prayers. I request all the Muslims to do Namaz and Tarabi prayers from their residences during this Ramzan," said Mohammed Abdul Khadeer Siddiqui, religious scholar and Superintendent Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad.

"After the announcement of the lockdown, we have put restrictions in the historic Mecca Masjid. We are not allowing any person to offer prayers, keeping in mind about their safety. This disease is not related to any section of the people, everyone is getting equally affected," he added.

Eatela Rajendra, Telangana State Health Minister also emphasized that people must offer namaz from their homes.

"Muslims must offer Namaz while staying at their homes this Ramzan due to the lockdown." the minister said while addressing the press conference today,

Syed Minhaj, a resident of Santosh Nagar of Hyderabad city, also spoke to on the same and said, " We all know how rapidly this infection is spreading everywhere. Because of this, religious scholars and the government are appealing people to stay at homes while offering prayers during Ramzan."

"It is a good initiative to contain the infection.This time we will celebrate Ramzan from our homes happily."

With the sighting of the moon, Ramzan will begin on April 24. While April 25 will be the first day of Roza.

( With inputs from ANI )