ISLAMABAD, APR 20 (DNA) – President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday lauded the people for taking ownership in implementing the Standard Operating Procedures as set by the State on congregational prayers during lockdown.

“What a good model where the State provides guidance and the people implement themselves,” the President wrote in a tweet in reference to the 20-point strategy agreed upon the government and the Ulema.

The President expressed satisfaction over the people taking ownership of the matter. “As the SOPs of the ‘Ijma’ (consensus) between Ulema and government becomes well known and widespread, it is generally the masajid and the people who are taking ownership,” he said.

President has urged the electronic and print media to highlight social distancing phenomenon at Mosques as agreed between the government and the Ulema. He said the worshipers should also be educated so that they themselves ensure social distancing for their own protection and that of others.

President Alvi also shared the image of the prayer congregation at a Mosque in Karachi with people maintaining distance and a media report depicting Mosques being disinfected, carpets removed and floors marked to make the people stand at a prescribed distance during the prayer. He commented we must increase our sense of ownership in our country. = DNA

=============================