Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 23: Anjuman-e-Sharie Shian-a Shia religious organization-today said that there will be no processions this year on the eve of Aashura due to COVID-19 pandemic across Kashmir.
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The Anjuman in a press conference said that all the processions-smaller or big ones carried during the Muharram-will not be organized, as, during the procession, it would not be possible to adhere to the SOPs issued by the experts.
“We have been talking to the experts and the religious heads regarding this and it has come out that the health and safety of people must be paramount, it was also observed that these processions being driven by emotions, adherence to the SOPs is going to be a difficult job,” Anjuman’s Agha Sayed Mujtaba Abbas said.
He said that processions during Muharram are usually carried out in Budgam as well as in Srinagar and for this year’s Muharram, all the processions stand cancelled owing to the pandemic that has affected the entire world.
He impressed on the fact that the Majalis that are held at the respective religious places must be organized with strict adherence to the SOPs that have been put out from time to time.
“We have been cooperating with the administration which is putting in all the efforts of prevention amid the outbreak of COVID-19. We cannot afford to risk the lives,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the district administration, in its order issued on August 21 clearly stated religious rituals must be carried out inside the religious places with strict adherence to the SOPs, especially maintaining social distancing as well as wearing the masks.
Agha, however, said that if the management that conducts these Majalis feels that the adherence to the SOPs is not possible at any of the Majalis, then, they should cancel those Majalis as well.
“We have to be extra careful regarding the adherence to the SOPs if it is felt that the SOPs cannot be maintained, then, those Majalis as well should be cancelled,” he said.
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