Appeal by Muslim community leaders to curb COVID-19 pandemic

Muslim leaders in Sri Lanka have made an appeal to the Muslim community to adhere to the measures to be taken by community, regional and other leaders in order to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement penned by 17 Muslim organizations in the country, it was emphasized that non-adherence to the preventive measures will result in the spread of the virus and that “any Muslims who violate any of the above and the Government laws and regulations will be failing in their duty as enshrined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”

It also called on the Muslim communities currently in sealed-off areas to self-quarantine themselves and strictly follow all protocols imposed by the Government.

The complete statement is as follows:

The deadly Covid-19 pandemic has infected over 200 countries across the world causing the deaths of thousands of fellow human beings.  Our motherland is not immune to it, with the virus being spread at an increasing pace.

The Sri Lankan government in its efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic has taken stern measures including the imposition of curfew, the setting up of quarantine centres, testing and treatment of patients. 

Immediately following the initial measures of the government all Muslim religious leaders unanimously banned the holding of any prayer sessions and gatherings within mosques, among other measures.

Areas in which persons have been found to be infected by the virus have been completely locked down. This was in order to prevent more rates of infection due to movement by persons in the vicinity of the patient and/or suspected patients.

We call upon all of our citizens who are currently in areas where such lock down has been imposed to self-quarantine themselves and strictly follow all protocols imposed by the Government. 

We call upon and iterate the following measures to be taken by community, regional and other leaders in order to curb the spread of the disease.

1. Ban the holding of any prayers, gatherings including Friday Jummah prayers at any mosque, as iterated previously.

2. Inform the nearest Police station of any activity which occurs at any mosque in violation of it.

3. If you have returned to Sri Lanka from a foreign country after March 10, 2020, immediately declare and register yourself at the nearest Police station as so having arrived.

4. Have no contact with any person who has arrived to Sri Lanka from a foreign country and self-quarantine yourselves if you have had any contact with such persons.  Self-quarantining measures should include no contact with any person from the household. In the event self-quarantining facilities are not available please inform Health authorities immediately.

5. In the event any person suspected to be infected with the virus, ensure that he/she is taken to the nearest Government hospital. Please inform the hospital prior to taking the patient in order to facilitate proper preventive measures. Do not take the patient to a private hospital and/or other medical facilities.

6. Obey the curfew imposed and every other Law/regulation imposed by the Government and authorities.

Our religion calls upon obedience to the Law of the land and any violation of the above will be dealt with maximum legal punishment.

The non-adherence to the above will result in the spread of the virus. Our religion dictates that the above all, the greater good of the community should be at the heart of every Muslim. Accordingly, any Muslims who violate any of the above and the Government laws and regulations will be failing in their duty as enshrined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). 

We pray that Allah show compassion and mercy on all human beings and protect us from the scourge of the pandemic.

1. All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulama (ACJU)
2. Supreme Command of the Sufi Thariqas (SCOST-SL)
3. Sri Lanka Muslim Council 
4. National Shoora Council
5. Young Mens Muslim Association
6. Colombo District Mosque Federation
7. Sri Lanka Jamath e-Islam
8. Jamathul Salamah
9. Collective of Arabic Colleges- Sri Lanka
10. Zam Zam Foundation
11. All Ceylon Thowheed Jamath
12. All Ceylon Muslim League – Youth Front
13. Conference of Sri Lankan Malays 
14. Memon Association of Sri Lanka 
15. Anjuman e- Saifi (Sri Lanka) Trust- The organization administering the affairs of The Dawoodi Bohra Muslim Community of Sri Lanka
16. Sri Lanka Media Forum
17. Markez Islamic Centre