49 clerics in Tajikistan have fallen sick during the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), Sulaimon Davlatzoda, the head of the Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) under the Government of Tajikistan, told reporters in Dushanbe on July 22.
According to him, a cleric from the northern district of Asht died of bronchitis.
“The cleric fell sick because they did not observe recommendations of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population and they could infect other people,” Davlatzoda said.
Tajikistan grand mufti Saidmukarram Abduqodirzoda noted that there would be no collective prayers on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“There will be no collective prayers on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. People will offer prayers at their homes and animal sacrifices will be carried out after the afternoon prayer,” Abduqodirzoda said.
Recall, all mosques in Tajikistan were closed for collective prayers on March 4 but excluding burial rites, following the decision that was made by the Council of Ulema on March 3 in connection with the danger of a coronavirus epidemic.
The proper appeal was published on the website of the Islamic Center of Tajikistan. “In order to prevent infection and the spread of the virus among the inhabitants of the country, it was decided to temporarily refuse to perform collective prayers, except for performing janaza”, the statement said.
However, the mosques reopened for collective prayers on March 20.
On April 17, the Council of Ulema (Tajikistan’s highest Islamic institution) told mosques to suspend public gatherings, including Friday prayers, beginning on April 18 to protect against the novel coronavirus. A decision adopted by the Council of Ulema on April 17 also imposed suspension on performing Taraweeh (additional ritual prayers performed by Muslims at night after the Isha prayer during the holy month of Ramadan) and public gathering such as iftar and others
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