Hyderabad: Few mosques open for Friday prayers

Hyderabad: The first Friday in Unlock 1.0 was observed with some of the mosques in city offering Jumma prayers at different times to avoid crowding.

Since early morning the Mosques committee started washing and sanitising the mosques and installing placards and posters asking the devout to maintain 2 feet social distancing. "The Jumma prayers were observed with devotees offering namaz with face masks," said Mohammed Murtuza.

For the first time in history, two jumma prayers were performed by two different imaams (the person who leads prayers) at different timings to avoid congestions. Meanwhile, the major mosques like historic Mecca Masjid and Shahi Masjid Bagh-e-Aam in Nampally etc. remained closed for the public.

The Jumma prayers were shortened and completed within 10-15 minutes, before starting the prayer the imam announced to maintain social distancing and to wear face masks.

It had learnt that the mosques had strictly followed the government guidelines and mosques also shut the toilets and ablution rooms. The police were also deployed outside the mosques and were monitoring.