*IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KHOJA SHIA ITHNA ASHERI JAMAAT OF DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA*
In light of the pandemic situation and the announcement by the Hon. Prime Minister of the United Republic of Tanzania - His Excellency Kassim Majaliwa, The Managing Committee of Khoja Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania has decided to take the following precautionary measures effective from today - Wednesday, 18th March 2020 until further notice.
Please note that these are temporary measures being enacted for the protection of the community, and may cause inconvenience or disturbance which is not intended. Members are urged to cooperate and support these initiatives for everyone’s benefit.
1. All upcoming programs and activities of the Jamaat and its subsections to include the majalis programs arranged for Ladies & Gents, Boys & Girls have been cancelled at all centers.
2. Our Al Muntazir Schools and Madrassas (HMBS/HMGS/MAZ) including Madrassa As Sadiq (All Centers) shall remain closed.
3. Mosque and its premises will be opened at the specified times below however, Congregational Prayers (Namaaz e Jamaat) including Friday (Ju'maah) Prayers will be temporarily not conducted. There will be Furada Prayers only:
a. Fajr Prayers: From 5:00AM - 6:30AM
b. Zohr Prayers: From 12:00PM - 1:30PM
c. Maghrib Prayers: From 6:15PM - 8:00PM
As a precautionary measure, turbah and tasbih are temporarily being withdrawn from the mosque and shariah compliant alternatives will be provided for sajdah. For those who wish to pray with turbah and tasbih may bring their own and urged NOT to leave at the mosque. Those left at the mosque shall be withdrawn and added to the mosque’s turbah and tasbih.
4. You are requested not to create any gatherings of any kind at the Mosque Premises, its vicinities or at any of our centers. Private gatherings should be avoided also.
5. You are also requested to refrain from distributing nyaz / fateha / tabbarukh, biting, drinks, etc. at the Mosque Premises, its vicinities or at any of our centers including Kabrastan.
6. All Sports / Fitness activities at the Hayaat Gym and Boarding House including the Swimming Pool will be temporarily closed.
7. Kabrastan: Majalis on Thursdays and Sundays will not be there however, it will remain open at specified timings below for anyone to visit to recite fateha for their deceased families. The Mosque will not have Congregational Prayers (Namaaz e Jamaat) but it will be open for Furada Prayers only. The timings are:
a. Fajr Prayers: From 5:15AM - 8:00AM
b. Zohr Prayers: From 12:00PM - 2:00PM
c. Maghrib Prayers: From 5:45PM - 7:45PM
8. Funeral Arrangements and Attendance: All funeral arrangements (Ghusl / Kafan) will be handled at the New Ghusl Room at Kabrastan. Face View will be arranged for ladies & gents but for immediate relatives / family members through different timings. There is an extra room after the ghusl room plus the 1st Floor Mosque will be available to accommodate our ladies. Namaaz e Mayyit and Burial will follow. There will be no shaking hands and no Khaari-Maani.
9. Visits and Supply of Food by community members to the three Ladies and One Gents Home is temporarily suspended.
10. Private Mehfils and Individuals are also requested to avoid organizing / hosting any private programs or functions. They should be cancelled immediately.
11. We will be assisting our senior citizens, the elderly above the age of 65 years in taking the appropriate measures for their safety. In the meantime, we humbly request them to cooperate with us and stay indoors (at home) and avoid any kind of gatherings at all places.
12. We strongly urge all those who have recently returned from their travels irrespective of the country, to self-quarantine for at least 14 days. If you experience a high fever, flu like symptoms or cough, any sickness or symptoms, you should consult your doctor immediately. You should also avoid contact with family and friends. We also request you to avoid unnecessary travel at this time.
13. Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food and water supply for two weeks, consider maintaining a supply including basic emergency supplies that will last that long.
14. We strongly urge all to take the protective measures that have been recommended to inhibit the spread of this disease. Regular hand washing with soap and running water as well as the use of alcohol based hand sanitizers is emphasized. Avoid hand shake, hugging and keep a distance of at least a meter from each other.
15. We are working to facilitate a live broadcast of the majalis for the upcoming programs which will be recited by Maulana Syed Adeel Raza. We will provide a schedule and all the details of the broadcast.
16. The Jamaat has setup a response team of experts to advise it on all matters relating to this pandemic situation. The Jamaat will continue to issue guidance as and when required.
We urge everyone to avoid unnecessary panic, Stay Calm and Be Smart - Cooperate closely with your Community's Instructions & Medical Professionals.
For any queries kindly write to covid-19@ksijdar.org.
We pray for the safety of all human kind.
Thank you.
SECRETARIAT
KSIJ DAR – TZ
