Pakistanis Gather For Friday Prayers Defying Coronavirus Directives

Amidst the coronavirus outbreak, and in defiance of government directives on social distancing, Mosques in Pakistan held Friday congregational prayers still being held at some mosques across the country.

In the capital, Islamabad, hundreds gathered at the Red Mosque, led by hardline religious leader Abdul Aziz, to offer prayers, standing shoulder-to-shoulder and filling the mosque’s main hall to capacity.

Aziz, who led an armed standoff between his followers and the government that culminated in Pakistani soldiers raiding the mosque in 2007, was not available to speak on Friday.

He had spoken to newsmen earlier this month by telephone, during which he remained adamant that he would continue to lead congregational prayers at the mosque.

“[Lockdowns are] not the answer to these problems,” Aziz had told journalist. “We believe the people should not be made to fear things right now, they should have faith in God at this time, and to place their hope in him If death is written for you, then it will come he insisted.

Pakistan has seen at least 7,008 coronavirus cases so far, with at least 134 deaths, according to the government’s data. At least 1,757 patients have recovered.

Earlier this week, Pakistan’s government eased a nationwide lockdown, reopening more than a dozen industries and categories of businesses in a bid to stave off spiralling unemployment and economic slowdown caused by the lockdown.

Mosques, however, were advised to restrict congregational prayers to a maximum of five people, all of whom were required to be staff members residing within the mosque’s premises.

Police stood guard outside the Red Mosque in Islamabad, but did not intervene when the crowd formed inside.

A police official at the scene, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Al Jazeera they did not have orders to stop people.

Asked whether congregants should be asked to maintain distance between them in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Aziz was adamant.

“Our stance is against this. [Doctors’] opinion is not the word of God, that is their opinion,” he said. “It is our opinion that this is a punishment from God, and it is coming because we have filled the world with sins.”