Law enforcing agencies are facing various types of ‘obstacles’ to implement the rules physical distance in a bid to contain transmission of deadly corona virus across the county. Talking to the Bangladesh Post, several field level police officers admitted it on condition of anonymity. Some people are coming out of their homes violating the government order to stay in homes.
As there are no treatment for the corona virus infected patients, staying home is the one and only way to protect from the disease. Government declared general holydays and instructed to shutdown most of the offices, factories and other business enterprises till April 25. Islam Foundation also issued circular to performed prayers at homes instead of mosque until the normalcy is restored.
Every shopping malls , markets , even small tea shops have been ordered to shutdown before 12:pm. All these measures have been taken only to keep people at homes. But many people are not following the rules of social distance causing a dangerous threat of corona virus outbreak. A Officer-in- charge of a police station under Dhaka Range on condition of anonymity told this correspondent that they are in dilemma.
“ We can not use forces against the violators of social distance due to avoid reverse consequence. But if we continue showing reluctance, this may bring situation to the worst level,” he further said. A Sub-Inspector of the same police station who also wanted not to be named said, “ I receive huge numbers of complain from the people round the clock about the violation of physical distance. But I am helpless. I can not arrest them.” Though Islamic Foundation urged to hold Jammat with maximum five devotees, many people are not following the advise.
“Despite I get complain, I could not help them except suggesting them to cerate awareness, he stated. An Adl SP of Ashulia Industrial Police said, “ In my areas, the incident of labor unrest is a very common phenomena. Agitated Ready-made garments workers bring procession demanding payment of their dues. I have to send force there to avoid untoward situation. But I never order to use force. Because using force may bring reverse consequence.”
Talking to the Bangladesh Post, Assistant Inspector General of Police ( Media and Public Relations) of Police Headquarters said, “ We always instruct our force to discharge their duties as per government’s instructions. “ Whenever there is any complain, we investigate and take necessary steps, he added.
He however, said if our citizens do not follow the rules of maintaining physical distance, it becomes very tough for police to ensure it.
Due to the present situation, we always try to use un necessary force, he stated. Leading Islamic clerics said that the Prophet Mohammad (Pubh) himself had given the same direction during a crisis period during his life. Dr Mohammad Shahidul Islam, an associate professor at Dhaka University's Arabic department said, " We should say five time prayers at our homes considering the situation."
He said, “ As per Islamic rules and directives of the Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh), if there's any chance for any sick person to get affected by or a risk of death or fear of outbreak of any epidemic then people can avoid going to mosques.” Referring to a hadith, another Islamic scholar said once Mohammad (Pubh) had been on a tour along with his some associates. "At that time, people were facing serious difficulties to go to mosques due to chilling weather, rain and storm. Then the Prophet asked one of his associates to say in ajhan (call to prayers) to say prayers at home or where you were."
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries also suspended congregational prayers at mosques in line with this hadith. He opined that as per this hadith, now we can perform our prayers at home to prevent the outbreak of corona virus. Referring to several hadiths, veteran Islamic clerics told that the Prophet Mohammad (Pbuh) had a direction that the inhabitants of an area where any pandemic spreads should not come out while the people of other areas should not visit the affected area on health ground.
Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries reached a decision in line of the holy Quran and hadith that people should say prayers now at home instead of mosques for safety reason and check the corona virus outbreak. Saudi Arabia decided to suspend congregational prayers in all mosques in the Kingdom, except for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.
In a statement, the Saudi government said Mosque doors will be closed temporarily but they will be allowed to recite the call to prayer. But the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah are exempted from the decision. It also said an amendment has been made to the call in which the usual phrase "come to prayer" in the Arabic call has been replaced with "pray at home."
United Arab Emirates suspended prayers in all houses of worship including mosques across the country for four weeks, as part of the country's efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus.Kuwait also took additional steps and banned all mass prayers to check the Coronavirus.
In historic footage shared on social media, loudspeakers at mosques in the small Gulf state can be heard emitting a changed ajan, or call to prayer. Mosques across the globe have shared the same call to prayer five times a day for centuries. Kuwaiti mosques changed the words hayya 'ala as-salah (come to prayer) to as-salatu fi buyutikum (pray in your homes).