COVID-19: TN govt bans preparation of gruel in mosques this Ramzan

Chennai, Apr 16 () Seeking to strictly implementlockdown rules during the holy month of Ramzan, the Tamil Nadugovernment on Thursday said mosques in the state cannotprepare gruel from the rice allotted by it as is the case, butdistribute it among the deserving Muslim benefeciaries.

Unlike the previous years, the gruel cannot be preparedin mosques owing to the lockdown rules imposed to stem thespread of coronavirus, even as places of religious worshiphave been shut as part of the country's fight against COVID-19.

Late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had earlier announcedproviding rice to mosques free of cost for preparing the gruelconsumed while breaking fast during Ramzan season.

Chief Secretary K Shanmugam chaired a meeting withrespective Islamic clerics in this connection, an officialrelease here said.

It said the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board has directed thatprayers and breaking of fast should be avoided in mosques,dargahs and imambadas.

Every year, 5450 tonnes of rice is supplied to mosquesand dargahs to prepare the gruel to be distributed among thepoor, it said.

However, this time, the said quantity rice will be sentto 2,895 mosques by April 19 and the functionaries therecan distribute it among deserving Muslim beneficiaries withthe help of volunteers before April 22, the release said.

"It is being clarified that preparation of the gruelin mosques this year is banned to contain the spread ofcoronavirus," it added.

The Ramzan month will start by April 23/24, the releaseadded. SAROH ROH