Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed
Sudha Ramachandran, who is an independent journalist based in Bengaluru in India, has recently published an article in the Diplomat on the corona impacts on several aspects of Bangladesh. In this piece, I would like to express some of my views on this article.
At the outset of her writing Sudha stated, “With millions of people expected to flock to mosques and markets during Ramzan (Ramadan), Islam’s holy month, additional rules have been put in place. These disallow the presence of more than 12 people, including clerics and mosque officials, in places of worship during Ramzan prayers.
The government has also banned iftar (evening meals that mark the breaking of the fast) gatherings. The question is whether authorities will be able to enforce lockdown rules during a period of heightened religious piety.”
She also wrote about the recent participation of a large part of people at the funeral of the popular Islamic teacher, Maulana Jubayer Ahmed Ansari in the month of April, and she also looked at the earlier event held in March in Raipur, where mass prayer was attended by some 25,000 people praying for the release from coronavirus.
According to Sudha, in several Asian countries, religious gatherings are one of the prime reasons for the spread of the novel coronavirus. She further thinks that since religious beliefs are strong among a significant part of Bangladesh and the thoughts and actions of these people are more influenced by scholars than the government, the government fears that such gathering will dramatically increase the number of coronavirus infections in the country. After highlighting these issues, she said what is exactly highlighted below:
“Consequently, since early March, the government has been cautioning the public against gathering in large numbers, advising people to remain indoors. On March 26, it imposed a nationwide lockdown that has been extended until May 5. Schools, colleges, and factories have been shut down as have transport facilities and industrial and agricultural activity.”
Moreover, Sudha pointed out that, the Government of Bangladesh has made additional rules to take place in the holy month of Ramadan. These are, to disallow more than 12 people in mosques during Ramadan prayers, and the ban on iftar gatherings.
However, Sudha is in doubt as to the authority’s ability to enforce lockdown rules during this month, as she said “the question is whether authorities will be able to enforce lockdown rules during a period of heightened religious piety”.
She further added that: “None of these measures would have been easy for the government to take, given how sensitive religious issues are in Bangladesh and the fact that the ruling Awami League, a secular party, often comes under pressure from religious fundamentalists.
Still it was forced to take decisive steps, given the growing severity of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country and the need to enforce social distancing.”
I respect and applaud Sudha's thoughts on Bangladesh. However, I will try to alleviate some of Sudha's worries through this writing.
After coronavirus invaded Bangladesh, like all other important ministries, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Bangladesh began to play a crucial role. The Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, which operates under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, has been acting actively trying to contain the spread of COVID-19 from its ambit.
From time to time it has issued emergency notifications containing instructions on joint prayers at mosque and other religious events and gatherings. Immediately after the risk of coronavirus increased in Bangladesh, the Islamic Foundation Bangladesh called an urgent meeting by apprehending the risk of ordinary Muslims performing prayers jointly in mosques amid the corona outbreak.
The top Muslim Scholars (Ulamay Keram) of the country, at the initiative of the Islamic Foundation, convened the emergency meeting to advise on the safety of the people in the COVID-19 situation.
The guidelines issued by the Islamic Scholars included a number of important issues, such as the importance of taking precautions to avoid disease and harm in Islam, instructions regarding mosque management during corona, guideline as to the responsibilities of Khatib, Imam, Muazzin and Mosque Committee, and the burial and janaza of the deceased in corona.
It was decided that the participation of the Muslims in Jum'ah and Jamaat would be limited. Restrictions placed on those who are infected with the coronavirus, those who have cold, fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath, those who come from affected countries and regions, those who suffer from various diseases, those who are elderly, children, the weak, those who are engaged in the care of the sick, not to participate in Jum'ah and Jamaat.
It was clearly instructed that, all those who would go to Jum'ah and Jamaat will take all security measures (i.e. use mask, tissue and follow hygiene). Moreover, responsibilities of Khatib, Imam, Muazzin and Mosque Committee included cleaning the mosque with disinfectant and removing carpets before the five daily prayers, ensuring gap between Muslims in the jamaat.
On 4 April, Islamic Foundation issued a very important notification relating to the prayer of the Holy Shabe Barat. It instructed every Muslim to perform the prayer of the Holy Shabe Barat in their respective residences with due dignity.
After that, the Islamic Foundation came up with the decision on 6 April that, all the Muslims except the Khatibs, Imams, Muazzins and Khadems are instructed to perform the prayers at their respective residences. So, at this stage praying salat in mosques was declared prohibited in order to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Furthermore, apprehending the risk of Muslims going to mosque during the holy month of Ramadan for Tarabeeh prayers, the authority took a timely decision. On 23 April, it ordered to perform Tarabeeh prayers in the house.
The notification contained the guidelines, such as, a maximum of 12 people including Imam, Khatib, Khadim and 2 Hafez will be able to participate in Esha Jamaat. And at the end of Esha Jamaat, these 12 people will be only able to take part in Tarabeeh prayers in the mosque.
The other devotees were instructed to perform Esha and Tarabeeh in their respective houses to help contain the spread of coronavirus disease. It was clearly stated that, in case of violation of the said instructions, the local administration and law enforcement agencies will be compelled to take legal action against the concerned persons.
In Bangladesh, during Shab-e-Barat and in the month of Ramadan, millions of Muslims appear in the mosques. This time, many were worried that it would not be possible to make an exception. But with the commendable and exemplary steps of the Islamic Foundation, the issue of praying at homes has been successfully addressed.
Also, the Islamic Foundation has been able to convince people that praying at home is not forbidden in Islam in times of epidemic.
Through the relentless monitoring of the law enforcement agencies, the decisions of the Islamic Foundation are being followed properly. Till date, there has been no news that people are going to the mosque in groups, breaking the rules and regulations placed upon them by the Government.
Although it has to be acknowledged that the Islamic fundamentalists do exist in Bangladesh, however, it is equally true that the present Bangladesh has been changed a lot.
Islamic fundamentalist groups have better relations with the current government than ever before. Giving the title of "Qaumi Janani" to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a great example. (to be continued)
Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed is an advocate of Bangladesh Supreme Court