COLOMBO : All the mosques in the Kurnegala district and some major Islamic worshipping place in Colombo will remain closed until further notice as a preventive measure against the fast spreading Covid virus.
On Wednesday, a cluster of 18 mosques in the Beruwela area including Jumma mosque and Thakiyaas, were closed on instructions from the Mosque Federation of the area where there is sizable Muslim population.
Abdul Saththar,Coordinating Secretary to Prime Minister for Muslim Affairs and Kurunegala District Coordinator told Colombo Times that he had to take this decision in consultation with the Mosque Federation to curtail the spread of the pandemic among the members of the Muslim community. He pointed out that he was sad that although the Muslim community forms only 10 percent of Lanka’s population, they form 40 percent pf the total Corona patients in the island. “ Enough is enough, we have to draw the line and take meaningful action to combat this situation.” Abdul Saththar said.
In Colombo, the Chairman of the Colombo Grand Mosque, Thoufik Zubyr said that his mosque will remain closed until further notice till the pandemic situation improves. He further said : “ I am happy that other mosques in Colombo have followed suit on the same lines.
In Colombo, the following mosques will remain closed : All the mosques in Aluthkada area, Memon Mosque in Dematagoda, Maradana mosque, Mosques in Kupiyawatte,Jawatte,Dewatagaha, Borella,Wellawatte, Pettah- Red and Memon mosques and Dehiwela mosque.
Meanwhile, the Wakfs Commissioner, Sabry Haleemdeen in a message via the Muslim Service in the SLBC, urged Muslims to take appropriate measures to prevent more people getting infected with the virus.
