ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday urged Ulema to play their roles for ensuring implementation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against COVID-19 at mosques and imambargahs during Ramadan.

He said this while virtually speaking at a consultative meeting of Ulema and Mashaikh about observance of Covid-related SOPs at mosques and imambargahs during Ramadan in Islamabad.

The president appreciated the role of Ulema and Mashaikh in observance of the SOPs during the last Ramadan and emphasized on implementing the same 20-point guidelines at mosques and imambargahs.

He said the Imams and Khateebs have close interaction with the general public and they should create awareness about these guidelines including wearing face mask, washing hands and maintaining social distance.

Arif Alvi said people above 65 years of age should avoid visiting mosques. He also suggested that first Jumma of Ramadan should be observed as ‘Juma-e-Nijat’ from this pandemic.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Noor-ul Haq Qadri said the ministry had been in contact with all the stakeholders to deal with the situation.

He said the SOPs issued by the government would be implemented at all mosques and imambargahs with the support of prayer leaders of mosques.

The minister said the SOPs adopted by Pakistan last year were appreciated by the world and some countries, including Turkey, also followed those guidelines.

Special Assistant on Health Dr Faisal Sultan said the third wave of the COVID-19 was dangerous and the SOPs should be followed strictly. He said about one million citizens had so far been vaccinated and it would be continued.

The provincial governors and Ulema and Mashaikh from all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan attended the meeting virtually.