Imams also read out a short ‘Khutba’ of Jum’a prayers to curb the rapid spread of the virus in the country and discussed about awareness to tackle the situation.

Islamic Foundation in the morning urged Muslims to come to mosques only to offer Farz prayers of Jum’a. Even it requested all concerned to offer their Sunnah and Nafl prayers at home.

The organisation also called on the khatibs and imams of mosques to offer special prayers for all so that they stay safe from the coronavirus and discuss the coronavirus issue with utmost importance during the ‘khutba’ of Jum’a prayers.

Hafiz Maulana Mohammad Golam Kibria Nomani, an imam of Nazirabazar Chhoto Jame Masjid, told UNB that they offered special prayers after Jum’a.

“As we’re now passing through a critical time following the coronavirus outbreak, we offered special prayers after Jum’a today,” he said.

Golam Kibria added that they read ‘Khutba’ in short as per the instructions of the government.

The imam of Chan Khaa Jame Masjid at Sikkaroli of Bangshal, Maulana Nurul Amin, said they also offered special prayers for the safety of the people.

“Today the presence of Musollis was less compared to last week as many city dwellers have already left the capital following the closure of educational institutions,” he also said.

About the closure of mosques in Saudi Arabia in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, Prof M Alamgir Rahman, principal of Govt Madrasah-E-Alia, told UNB that 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 coronavirus outbreak.

“No Islamic scholar opposed the decision. So, we can follow it,” he said.

The principal also said those who want to go to mosques should wear masks and other safety gears to protect themselves from the virus.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia decided to suspend congregational prayers in all mosques in the Kingdom, except for the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

Meanwhile, Additional Director of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Nasima Sultana on Friday announced the detection of three new coronavirus patients in the country, raising the cases of coronavirus to 20.

Bangladesh reported the country’s first death from coronavirus on March 18.