On April 6, the Religious Affairs Ministry asked people to offer Zohr prayers at home instead of Jum'a on Friday to tamp down the spread of coronavirus.

As per the directive, maximum five people, including Khatib, Imam, Khadem and Muazzin, are allowed to join jamaat at mosques but no outsider is be allowed to enter any mosque and maximum 10 people can attend the Jum'a prayers on Friday.

Contacted, Fazlur Rahman, a devotee of Ramna area, told UNB that he attended Jum’a prayers today (Friday) at Ramna Police Complex Jam-e Mosque where highest 10 people took part in compliance with the government’s directive.

Replying to a query, he said mosques are kept locked during time of other prayers as outsider is not allowed to attend the prayers.

Fazlur said he always offers his prayers at home after the government’s directive was issued on April 6.

Contacted, Senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Mufti Mizanur Rahman said they offered Jum’a prayers today (Friday) as per the government’s directive allowing maximum 10 people. “We’ve already called upon devotees across the country to follow the ministry’s instruction. If there’s any exception, we again urge them to follow the directive,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ministry issued a directive on Thursday, saying maximum 12 people, including two imams, can attend Tarabi prayers in mosques during the holy month of Ramadan.

Muslims are offering Tarabi prayers from Friday night as the Holy Ramadan, the lunar month of self-purification through fasting and abstinence, begins in the country on Saturday.

The step was taken to prevent the transmission of fast-spreading coronavirus.

The ministry also said its earlier directive to avoid mosques and offer prayers at home will remain in force. Besides, no public gathering in the name of iftar mahfil will be allowed.