Observing that COVID19 and the Government’s restrictions will have an impact on people of Jammu & Kashmir during the holy month of Ramadan, Chairman of Kashmir Chapter of National Apex Chamber of Commerce & Industry and MD Peaks Group Baldev Singh Raina, appealed Government to revisit the restrictionS as per Ramadan schedule and timetable.
In a statement, Raina said that more than 70% of populationof Jammu & Kashmir will adapt to a different lifestyle for next 30 days andGovernment should be responsive to this change and extend complete support tothe people during the holy month.
To maintain the balance between the daily needs of people,livelihood of shopkeepers and Covid-19 precautionary protocol, he said theadministration can make Mohalla wise relaxation plan by factoring in identifiedzone based precautions.
Raina also extended his warmest wishes to all the people ofJammu & Kashmir as Muslims around the world begin observing the holy monthof Ramadan.
“This is a testing time for all communities and asRamadan approaches we think of all those that have been affected by theCOVID-19 pandamic.”
He said, however, “this is also a great opportunity toexhibit our inherent strength of Islamic practice of paying Zakat to addressthe most critical challenge of loss of livelihood posed by Covid-19.”
“As the holy month has approached, people having saving arenecessitated to pay Charity (Zakat) as per Islamic practice. The charity couldbe miracle for those whose livelihood around us has been deeply affected andalso our poor & unprivileged, orphans and destitute. However, we may startby looking around the neighbours andrelatives in first instances,” he said.
Urging people to remain indoors and maintain socialdistancing, he said people should follow the instructions of crown of themankind, Prophet Muhammed (SAW), whosaid “If you hear of an outbreak of plague in a land, do not enter it; if theplague breaks out in a place while you are in it, do not leave that place.”
He said all the Muslims are lucky to have an establishedfive times a day hygiene practice. “At this time, Islamic hygiene practices of”Wuzu” that emphasize purity of body could help reiterate the importance ofhygienic practices for along with theuse of soap or hand sanitizer, to reduce one’s vulnerability to the virus.”