Srinagar: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com), Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole Saturday held a meeting with prominent religious personalities of district Srinagar including Imams and Khateebs (preachers) of shrines and mosques regarding the strict enforcement of Covid-appropriate behaviour among the people in view of possible third wave of Covid-19.
Chief Executive Officer, Waqf Board, Mufti Farid-ud-din and other Waqf officers were also present in the meeting.
According to an official press release, at the outset, Div Com appreciated religious scholars for their role and cooperation since the last one-and-half years of pandemic for educating and sermonizing people, which helped to the large extent to save people from the deadly pandemic.
He called them as “social influencers” and appealed to them to continue sensitizing people about adopting COVID-appropriate behavior and not to lower their guard to save themselves.
He informed them that even the developed countries including UK, USA and Italy, where healthcare system is sophisticated, suffered due to third wave where virus created havoc and emphasized on them that it is their religious as well as social obligation to educate people and help in the implementation of proper behavior as per the guidelines issued by the government from time and time.
He sensitized that it is highly imperative that COVID-appropriate behavior is observed in letter and spirit in the mosques and shrines where people assemble to offer prayers. He stressed on them to ensure wearing of masks and maintenance of physical distance.
On the occasion, Imam and Khateeb of Dargah Hazratbal, Dr Kamal-din Farooqi, presented the measures taken by the Imams and responsible committee members of shrines and mosques regarding the observance of COVID guidelines and ensured that they will continue to lend support to government in containment of viral infection, the press release said.
