Ban on prayer gatherings in Sindh and Balochistan

The scholars of various schools of thought did not agree on Friday's prayers and other congregation prayers suspended by Egypt's Al-Azhar to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

During the video conference with President Arif Alavi, prominent scholars of the Hanafi profession refused to follow the guidance of Al-Azhar, but representatives of the Shi'ite and Ahl al-Hadith groups supported it.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government announced the suspension of congregation prayers, including Friday prayers at mosques, to maintain social distance and to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

Advisor to the Chief Minister Sindh Murtaza Wahab said that the government made this decision after consulting the scholars of all the issues.

In a statement on social networking site Twitter, he said that the Sindh government has made a crucial decision to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. The people will no longer be able to pray in mosques.

In addition, the provincial ministry of information said the ban would continue until April 5.

On the other hand, a notification was issued by the Interior and Tribal Affairs Department in Quetta overnight, stating that the Balochistan government has imposed a ban on Friday prayers across the province, which will be implemented immediately.

The notification, however, made it clear that mosques would remain open and only five people would be allowed to pray, including an imam and 4 others.

At the same time, people were requested to pray at home