Chairman of Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Mufti Muneeb-ur-Rehman backed Prime Minister Imran Khan's decision to extend the countrywide lockdown and said that Ulema would indulge in discussions to draw up a future roadmap for congregational prayers.
Speaking to Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri via telephone he said that the Ulema have no desire to spread anarchy in the country.
The minister invited Mufti Muneeb to attend a meeting on April 18 where a joint decision over Friday prayers and Itikaf would be taken.
Qadri, a day earlier, had urged Ulema for consensuses rather than individual decisions. He said that clerics from all sects would be taken into confidence in the meeting on April 18.
Mufti Muneeb lamented over arrests made in Karachi by the Sindh government and said that they had gone against their promise of not arresting anyone who goes to the mosque during the lockdown.
Decisions should not be taken in haste. Rather, they should be based on reason, he said. "We are ready to hear reasonable suggestions while standing firm on our principles."
"There is no problem pertaining to any religious or worldly issue that does not have an agreeable and practical solution," he said.
Mufti Taqi Usmani said Wednesday Qadri, had invited him for the April 18 meeting.
Mufti Usmani said that the minister had declared the Ulemas demands 'balanced' and that the government was considering the suggestion given by the religious scholars.
Usmani reiterated that the mosques should be allowed to remain open with precautionary measures intact.
Meanwhile, Mufti Usmani had urged the government to not arrest people from within mosques. "All those who have been arrested [for coming to mosques] should be released," he said.
He had called on worshippers to wear masks and perform ablution at their homes before coming to the mosques. "Remove prayer mats from mosques and ensure sanitisers are available," he instructed mosque administrators.
On Monday, Qadri had said that the entire country will have a uniform policy regarding Ramazan this year with the parties to lay out a comprehensive strategy for the holy month in wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The minister said the government will approach Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Siraj-ul-Haq, Sajid Mir, Sajid Naqvi and other religious leaders for policy-making consultations.
While referring to untoward incidents regarding congregational prayers and violation of the ban due to the pandemic, the minister expressed displeasure by referring to them as 'unfortunate'.
Qadri said that the high number of cases had led to an unnecessary debate on whether Iranian pilgrims or tableeghis were behind the spread of the coronavirus.
US acting under secretary John Bass holds meetings with Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, COAS Gen Asim Munir
Petitioners ask apex court to declare proposed bill "ultra vires" Constitution and prevent its tabling in parliament
Ruling coalition wants to keep me behind bars via constitutional amendments, alleges PTI founder
PTI's Asad Qaiser demands amendment draft to be discussed in lower house of parliament
"Without a doubt, the govt is proposing the amendments to draw out its tenure," says PTI's Waleed Iqbal
IHC Justice Aurangzeb says there is no clear answer from govt on matter