NCOC issues notification of new COVID protocols for mosques

Islamabad: The National Command and Operations Center (NCOC) has directed the federation and the provinces to take steps for implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in mosques and other worship places.

According to details, NCOC revised mosque protocols, making it mandatory that only fully vaccinated people will be allowed to pray inside the places of worship.

NCOC has issued a letter to the Ministry of National Health and Religious Affairs, including the Federation, Provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan Government in this regard.

The letter said that steps should be taken to implement SOPs in the places of worship on federal and provincial levels.

Ministry of Religious Affairs should ensure implementation of SOPs in mosques while ministry should engage religious scholars to play their role in implementing SOPs in mosques. Religious scholars should help convincing people to get their selves vaccinated.

According to the letter, the Ministry of Religious Affairs should appeal to the Ulema to cooperate against Coronavirus and keep the Friday sermon short while the Ulema should raise public awareness for the implementation of Corona SOPs.

The NCOC directed the ministry to formulate a plan of action on Friday prayer sermons and the ulema to highlight the importance of vaccination in Friday prayers and religious gatherings.

The letter said that fully vaccinated persons should also be wearing masks during their prayers.