HYDERABAD: In their attempts to spread awareness, several 

mosques

 in Old City are relaying messages following the prayer call (

azaan

), urging people to take precautions to stay safe and protected from 

Covid-19

. The precautionary messages are relayed regularly to ensure people remain vigilant and not drop their guard against the virus.

 

While wearing masks and maintaining social distance has been mandatory in mosques, they are also limiting the number of devotees for prayers. “Through its messaging, the mosque in my locality tells devotees not to turn up at the mosque and offer prayers from home. Only few are permitted to offer prayers at the mosque and they have to adhere to Covid 

protocols

,” Mohammed Jameeluddin from Purnipura told TOI. 

“People are aware of the current scenario...the lockdown has worked effectively as people are staying indoors and safe. Besides this, special prayers are also being offered to get rid of the virus and we have distributed cards with special recitations among people,” said Syed Muneeruddin Muqtar, president of the Take ki Masjid in Nampally.

Maulana Hafiz Abdul Razzaq from Moghalpura told TOI that messages are being forwarded on various social media groups asking people to follow the rules enforced by the government. “All efforts are being taken to make people realise the importance of life and its protection from the virus. Right from the beginning, social distance is being maintained and masks are being worn by devotees. Only few are allowed to offer prayers in the mosques and we keep in touch with them through social media,” Maulana Hafiz said.

 

Elsewhere, some in Old City have urged the government to consider a slight relaxation of operation hours as earnings of vegetable, fruit vendors and other small-scale traders have taken a huge hit due to the limited working hours