How local ethnic-religious institutions are ramping up social distancing
With numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases mounting every day, 28 as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, local ethnic-religious institutions are looking to ramp up their social distancing plans and messages for the community against mass gathering at their premises.
Following the new directive of the government that bars any 100+ indoor gathering and 500+ outdoor, the religious institutions are quickly trying to reach out to the worshippers to remain home and travel to the religious churches only in an absolute necessity.
An innovative way to avoid mass gatherings and discourage coming to the temples, the institutions are streaming their scheduled prayer sessions on their Facebook page. Most of the notifications are also being conveyed via Facebook and WhatsApp messages.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, representatives of different temples, gurudwaras, mosques and Islamic centres across New Zealand, affirmed their unconditional support in reducing the number of gatherings at their premises and conveying precaution measures to the devotees of their respective religious institutions.
“We have released flyers, emails, WhatsApp messages to our devotees asking them to follow precautions laid by the government, and the District Health Boards and come to the temple only when absolutely necessary,” a spokesperson from Bhartiya Mandir in Auckland told The Indian Weekender.
Daljit Singh from Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand governing the Otahuhu and Takanini Gurudwaras said that they have put up notices at the gates of both gurudwaras requesting devotees to wash their hands and feet when entering the premises, wash up again when leaving, not to linger in and around the gurudwara, and to inform them if they have recently travelled from overseas.
“We have our community members to strictly follow hygiene guidelines set by the government, inform the gurudwara if they have travelled from overseas as they need to self-isolate themselves, and anyone sick or prone to flu not to enter the kitchen or bring food to the gurudwara,” Mr Singh said.
Different religious institutions have held emergency executive meetings and are formulating new ways to discourage devotees from coming to the religious buildings and the ones coming to follow proper sanitation procedures.
The Federation of Islamic Association in New Zealand and other Islamic Centres across New Zealand have published media releases asking the worshippers to limit mosque visits and to pray at home, especially for children and the elderly.
Most of the mosques across New Zealand will be conducting Friday congregational prayers (Juma Prayers) in two sessions at least 30 minutes apart. They are also asking to not stay at the mosque premises after the prayers and leave as soon as the compulsory prayers are finished.
“We have released a statement on our social media page like the rest of the mosques across the country to follow the hygiene procedures laid down, the Friday prayers will be held at 1:40 p.m. (1:50 p.m. Khutbah and Salaah) and the second session at 2:20 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Khutbah and Salaah),” Ahmed Bhamji, Chairperson of Masjid-e-Umar told The Indian Weekender.
“We humbly request all musallees to comply with the above and to have patience during this unprecedented time. It is still important that we plan and adopt measures for the best interest of all New Zealanders,” he further added.
FIANZ spokesperson, Dr Anwar Ghani said that all the Islamic institutions would be following the directions of the government so that the community can play their part in restricting the spread of this epidemic.
“We have asked our community members to follow the instruction given by the government, avoid mosques, for now, avoid mass congregations, take care of your elders, children and neighbours, do not buy bulk buy products you don’t need as you might rob someone in dire need,” Mr Ghani said.
Two big festivals are due for the Hindu community living here, Navratri, which is a week-long celebration and Ram Navami, in the first week of April. The temples have advised the devotees to remain home as they will be Live Streaming the prayer sessions on the temples’ Facebook page.
“We have asked our community members not to come to the temple for the Ram Navami and Navratri events – we will be streaming it on our page,” Chairperson of Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Pravin Kumar said.
Supreme Sikh Society also cancelled its major inauguration ceremony of the newly built sports centre in Takanini, an event that expected the attendance of over 20,000 people including MPs, athletes from different parts of New Zealand and of the world including, India, Australia, Canada, USA, United Kingdom etc.
All the religious leaders and institutions have appealed the community to maintain social distancing, which is not just beneficial for their wellbeing but also for the wider community.
With numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases mounting every day, 28 as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, local ethnic-religious institutions are looking to ramp up their social distancing plans and messages for the community against mass gathering at their premises.
Following the new directive of the...
With numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases mounting every day, 28 as of 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, local ethnic-religious institutions are looking to ramp up their social distancing plans and messages for the community against mass gathering at their premises.
Following the new directive of the government that bars any 100+ indoor gathering and 500+ outdoor, the religious institutions are quickly trying to reach out to the worshippers to remain home and travel to the religious churches only in an absolute necessity.
An innovative way to avoid mass gatherings and discourage coming to the temples, the institutions are streaming their scheduled prayer sessions on their Facebook page. Most of the notifications are also being conveyed via Facebook and WhatsApp messages.
Speaking to The Indian Weekender, representatives of different temples, gurudwaras, mosques and Islamic centres across New Zealand, affirmed their unconditional support in reducing the number of gatherings at their premises and conveying precaution measures to the devotees of their respective religious institutions.
“We have released flyers, emails, WhatsApp messages to our devotees asking them to follow precautions laid by the government, and the District Health Boards and come to the temple only when absolutely necessary,” a spokesperson from Bhartiya Mandir in Auckland told The Indian Weekender.
Daljit Singh from Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand governing the Otahuhu and Takanini Gurudwaras said that they have put up notices at the gates of both gurudwaras requesting devotees to wash their hands and feet when entering the premises, wash up again when leaving, not to linger in and around the gurudwara, and to inform them if they have recently travelled from overseas.
“We have our community members to strictly follow hygiene guidelines set by the government, inform the gurudwara if they have travelled from overseas as they need to self-isolate themselves, and anyone sick or prone to flu not to enter the kitchen or bring food to the gurudwara,” Mr Singh said.
Different religious institutions have held emergency executive meetings and are formulating new ways to discourage devotees from coming to the religious buildings and the ones coming to follow proper sanitation procedures.
The Federation of Islamic Association in New Zealand and other Islamic Centres across New Zealand have published media releases asking the worshippers to limit mosque visits and to pray at home, especially for children and the elderly.
Most of the mosques across New Zealand will be conducting Friday congregational prayers (Juma Prayers) in two sessions at least 30 minutes apart. They are also asking to not stay at the mosque premises after the prayers and leave as soon as the compulsory prayers are finished.
“We have released a statement on our social media page like the rest of the mosques across the country to follow the hygiene procedures laid down, the Friday prayers will be held at 1:40 p.m. (1:50 p.m. Khutbah and Salaah) and the second session at 2:20 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Khutbah and Salaah),” Ahmed Bhamji, Chairperson of Masjid-e-Umar told The Indian Weekender.
“We humbly request all musallees to comply with the above and to have patience during this unprecedented time. It is still important that we plan and adopt measures for the best interest of all New Zealanders,” he further added.
FIANZ spokesperson, Dr Anwar Ghani said that all the Islamic institutions would be following the directions of the government so that the community can play their part in restricting the spread of this epidemic.
“We have asked our community members to follow the instruction given by the government, avoid mosques, for now, avoid mass congregations, take care of your elders, children and neighbours, do not buy bulk buy products you don’t need as you might rob someone in dire need,” Mr Ghani said.
Two big festivals are due for the Hindu community living here, Navratri, which is a week-long celebration and Ram Navami, in the first week of April. The temples have advised the devotees to remain home as they will be Live Streaming the prayer sessions on the temples’ Facebook page.
“We have asked our community members not to come to the temple for the Ram Navami and Navratri events – we will be streaming it on our page,” Chairperson of Shri Ram Mandir in Henderson, Pravin Kumar said.
Supreme Sikh Society also cancelled its major inauguration ceremony of the newly built sports centre in Takanini, an event that expected the attendance of over 20,000 people including MPs, athletes from different parts of New Zealand and of the world including, India, Australia, Canada, USA, United Kingdom etc.
All the religious leaders and institutions have appealed the community to maintain social distancing, which is not just beneficial for their wellbeing but also for the wider community.
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