Hyderabad: Mecca Masjid to open after a few days

Hyderabad: Several mosques in the city opened barring the historic Mecca Masjid in the Old City and Shahi Masjid Bagh-e-Aam (Royal Mosque) near Assembly. Many mosques in city opened for prayers following the safety guidelines. On its first day all mosques were being washed and sanitised. As a precautionary measure, mosques kept the toilets and ablution rooms shut.

"If the religious activities are resumed at these places, it would be difficult to control people. Keeping this in mind, the committee is following the norms and safety precautions and making preparations for safety measures including sanitising the mosques removing mats and signing the social distancing etc. in mosques," said a member of the Masjid committee.

Speaking to The Hans India, Telangana State Minority Welfare Director Shanawaz Qasim said, "As soon as the mosques under the Minority welfare are done with all safety precautions the mosques will reopen." People have been told to come prepared ablution from their homes and social distancing and wearing masks remains must.

For precautionary measures Hyderabad MP and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi along with MLAs distributed touch-free sanitiser dispensers to representatives of gurudwaras, churches, mosques & temples in Hyderabad & adjoining areas. According to him, dispensers were made possible by Majlis Charity Educational & Relief Trust. He appealed to people "No person aged above 65 years or children less than 12 years should enter the mosques."