Mosques in Ujire to remain closed for 2 months

Mangaluru: Mosques in Ujire in Belthangady taluk will not open for prayers for the next two months, even if the government decides to relax the rules.
Ujire Halepete Muhiuddin Juma Masjid and other mosques in its jurisdiction have decided that no prayers, including Friday prayers, will be held at mosques for the next two months. The committees of the mosques took a decision to this effect, taking into consideration the safety of people in the village, and in proximity to the national highway.
Muhiuddin Juma Masjid president B M Abdul Hameed Haji said that a decision not to allow mass prayers for the next three months was taken at a meeting of the committee.
“We have three mosques under our main mosque in Ujire. The committee has decided at a meeting that mosques will not be opened for prayers for the next two months, even if the government permits it. The number of Covid-19 cases is increasing every day. Hence, it is not safe to open mosques for prayers at this stage. As per our religion, a believer may offer prayers in any mosque when he reaches another place. Travellers from different places also may visit the mosque to offer prayers, and we cannot deny permission when they come. There are possibilities of the disease spreading in the village, if an infected person from Mumbai or any other place visits the mosque. The entire area will have to be sealed if an infected person visits. Hence, we took this decision as a precautionary measure,” Haji said.
The committee has also resolved that a review meeting may be held on June 30, if there is a considerable decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases, he said. “We will hold a review meeting on June 30 and prayers will be allowed in mosques from July 1, if there is a considerable reduction in the number of Covid-19 cases. Even if mosques are opened, we will take extra precautions in addition to the guidelines issued by the government. We will follow all the guidelines related to social distancing and cleanliness. In addition, we have asked everyone to bring their own personal prayer mats,” he added.