Amid the ongoing nationwide shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, India’s condition has gone from bad to worse after 1548 people were found performing Namaz at Nizamuddin Markaz mosque. 24 of them have been tested positive for COVID-19 and 441 of them were symptomatic.
The Tabligh-e-Jamaat’s Markaz in Nizamuddin West has emerged as a hotspot of coronavirus as 50 people from Tamil Nadu, 24 from Delhi, six from Telangana, 10 in Andamans and one in Kashmir, who attended the event, tested positive of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Oscar winner AR Rahman has urged people to comply with COVID-19 lockdown guidelines and self-isolate.
His appeal comes at a time when thousands of people are gathering at the Mosque to perform Namaz. Recently, hordes of people attended prayer gatherings organised by the Tablighi Jamaat. Now, Tablighi Jamaat’s Markaz in Delhi’s Nizamuddin West has emerged as an epicenter for the spread of Covid-19 in different parts of the country.
Taking his Twitter, musician AR Rahman requested people to be “kind and thoughtful”.
“God is inside your heart (the most sacred shrine), so this is not the time to cause chaos by congregating in religious places. Listen to the government’s advice. Self-isolation for a few weeks may give you many more years,” Rahman said.
“Do not spread the virus and cause harm to fellow humans. This disease does not even warn you that you are a carrier, so don’t assume you are not infected. This is not the time to spread false rumours and cause more anxiety and panic,” he wrote.
Rahman also praised the healthcare workers for putting their lives at risk and fighting against the pandemic in order to save several lives in the country.
“This message is to thank the doctors, nurses, and all the staff working, in hospitals and clinics all across India, for their bravery and selflessness. It fills one’s heart to see how ready they are to deal with this most dreadful pandemic. They risk their lives to save ours,” the composer said.
He said one must help their neighbours, senior citizens, underprivileged and migrant workers in the time of crisis.
“It’s time to forget our differences and unite against this invisible enemy that has turned the world upside down. It’s time to bring the beauty of humanity and spirituality into action,” he added.
By far, the virus has affected over 9.3 lakh people globally and the global death toll has risen to at least 47,000. In India alone, the confirmed positive cases of coronavirus have surpassed 2,000 so far, while at least 50 people have died in the country from the infection.
Complete closedown for 21 days has been imposed across the country in order to check the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged his countrymen to stay at home and maintain social distancing during the lockdown.
