Jama Masjid to remain shut till June 30 amid growing COVID-19 cases in Delhi: Shahi Imam

New Delhi: A day after urging the people to offer namaz from their homes amid the spike in COVID-19 cases in the national capital, Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Thursday, 11 June said the mosque would remain closed till 30 June.

Speaking to the media, Bukhari said, "I had made an appeal to the people to offer namaz from their homes and after taking public opinion and consulting scholars, it has been decided that from Thursday's Maghreb (sunset) till 30 June no congregational prayers will be performed at the Jama Masjid."

The decision comes three days after the historic mosque reopened on June 8 after over two months as the government allowed further relaxations as part of "Unlock-1", the first phase of a calibrated exit from the coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown.

As several establishments, like shopping malls and offices, opened across the country on 8 June, Bukhari asked governments to reconsider their decision in view of the rapid spread of coronavirus.

Bukhari's Secretary Amantuallah died on Tuesday night at the Safdarjung Hospital due to COVID-19.

The mosque had opened on June 8 after a gap of over two months with the government allowing further relaxations as part of "Unlock-1", the first phase of a calibrated exit from the novel coronavirus-induced nationwide lockdown.

In Delhi, 1877 more COVID-19 cases and 65 deaths were reported. Total number of cases in the national capital is now at 34687, including 20871 active cases, 12731recovered/discharged/migrated and 1085 deaths, said Delhi health department.

• COVID-19 cases
• Jama Masjid
• June 30
• New Delhi
• coronavirus
• remain closed
• shut
• spike
• Shahi Imam Syed Ahmed Bukhari