The Masjid-i Jehan Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid of Delhi, is one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and was inaugurated by Imam Syed Abdul Ghafoor Shah Bukhar. Amid the lockdown, all religious places were shut down in order to stop the spread of coronavirus pandemic. During that period, Jama Masjid of Delhi was also locked.
With the start of lockdown 5.0, the government decided to unlock the country and so several relaxations were provided. Relaxations included re-opening of malls, restaurants as well as religious places. Unlock 1.0 started on 8th June 2020. And in context to this a day prior, Delhi CM – Arvind Kejriwal addressed the nation and announced guidelines of lockdown 5.0 for national capital-Delhi. In that, he said that as per the rules of Central Government all religious places, malls, restaurants will reopen. With this guideline, including Jama Masjid all other religious places were opened from June 8.
Jama Masjid was opened on 8th June 2020 but just after 3 days of its reopening, it is going to shut down again. This decision was announced by Syed Ahmed Bukhari who is the 13th Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Delhi. Such decision was taken due to the death of Amamullah, who was a secretary at Jama Masjid and he died because of Coronavirus on June 3. Delhi’s condition is “deteriorating” day by day and as a cause of it, this step has been taken and so till 30th June 2020, Jama Masjid will remain close.
Mr Bukhari appeals to shut down every mosque in the country due to the outbreak of this pandemic, as the cases are rising. He also says that through social media people are also sharing their views to shut down Jama Masjid. Also, he says, ‘we may shut it down for people and limit ‘Namaz’ for one or two people in a day.’ He questions people that what is the need to visit the mosque and offer prayers in such a life-threatening situation? One should stay indoors and offer ‘Namaz’ in their homes. Hence by today 8 pm, Jama Masjid will be shut down till 30th June 2020.
