Muslim Okkotta seeks permission for Eid prayers in mosques

Jaideep Shenoy | TNN | Updated: May 4, 2020, 16:46 IST

MANGALURU: With partial relaxation in lockdown norms coming in to force from Monday, demand for revival of religious activities after duly following social distancing norms too has come to the fore.
Former mayor K Ashraf urged chief minister B S Yediyurappa and former CM Siddaramaiah and deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh to allow Muslims to offer Eid prayers at mosque.
In a letter to CM and Siddaramaiah, leader of opposition as well as the DC, Ashraf said the state government must consider positively this request from Muslims to permit them to pray in mosques during holy month of Ramadan. “The move by the Central government to permit a 12-hour relaxation in lockdown norms amidst the pandemic from 7am for specified category of industries and establishments is a travesty,” Ashraf said.
Voicing the opinion on behalf of D K District Muslim Okkoota, Ashraf said the relaxation in lockdown norms with cases of Covid19 on the rise is not in sync with ground realities. This is especially true in Karnataka which has earned appreciation from leading European nations such as Germany for its handling of the pandemic and this is a matter of pride for all Kannadigas. This momentum should have been sustained further, he said.
With DK district yet to come to grips with the pandemic, Ashraf said move to allow commercial activity will lead to gathering of people and will pose a challenge to efforts of health authorities to contain it. In wake of this, it is imperative that the government maintains status quo till end of Ramadan month. If the government feels it prudent to allow these activities, it should also allow Muslims to offer prayers in mosque following norms, Ashraf added.