Srinagar, Mar 26 The Srinagar administration on Thursday closed all religious places to prevent spread of Coronavirus in the district, where a 67-year-old man became the first person to die due to deathly infection. Meanwhile, Grand Mufti Nasirul Islam on Thursday said no Friday prayers would be held in the valley to curtail the spread of the virus and urged people to stay indoors. A 65-year-old man, a resident of Hyderpora in Srinagar, was the first person to die due to Coronavirus on Thursday in Kashmir. Four more people were tested positive on Wednesday in the valley, taking the total number of infected persons to seven. “Closure of all religious places in #Srinagar is under way. With active cooperation of Managenent committees. Revered shrines Hazratbal, Naqshband Saheb show the way. #StayAtHome,” Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary wrote on twitter. He said closing of religious places which attract gatherings is an important step to save a whole population. “Let’s stay indoors, stay safe to be able to worship again,” he said. He said prayers are equally effective from home as they would be from a religious place. Don’t call people out when everyone in world is #StayingHomeNow,” he tweeted. “Dastgeer Saheb , Gurudwara Saheb Chhati Padshahi and others. Mosques follow. Thankful to officials on ground and all management committees. #StayAtHome,” he added. The Grand Mufti appealed to people, including Imans and management committees of all mosques and shrines, not to held Friday congregations in view of the outbreak of coronavirus. “It is for our safety and it is allowed in Islam,” he added. He said Muazins should give call for prayer, but people should offer prayers at home. “Only three people living in vicinity of Masjid should offer prayers for rest of days,” he added. Restrictions were on Thursday further intensified on movement and assembly of people following the death of the man in Kashmir valley, where life remained crippled for the eighth successive day in view of lock down.
