Ibrahim Ahmad
With over 15 lakh positive cases and almost 89000 deaths as of today April 9, the devastation from Covid-19 is growing exponentially. India alone records 6000 positive cases and over 175 confirmed deaths according to last updated figures. What is worse, this number will keep rising. As this rapidly spreading virus heralds more human suffering, one must remember the resultant lockdown to control the menace is also triggering a long term economic setback for citizens, organizations and the country as a whole.
At this time of a global and national crisis, we as Indians have to give in to communal wars and unite as one to fight Covid-19. It is a time when we must set aside all our differences and come together to adhere and help implement decisions taken by our national leaders. It is time that we resist every action that creates suspicion, hatred and division and put all our energies, minds and resources to find new solutions that will keep the people of our country safe while simultaneously reducing the misery of those unfortunate who have been directly or indirectly hit by Covid19. It is now that those in the line of duty, including health workers, policemen and the government staff, social workers involved in relief work; and everybody else involved in the production and delivery of essentials products and services are offered full co-operation and support to ensure their safety so that they can succeed in the frontline.
We appeal to each and every countrymen to ensure that that governments guidelines for staying indoors, social distancing, voluntary isolation or quarantine, use of masks, avoiding congregations, no-hoarding, no-profiteering, safe shopping recommendations, hospital rules, and more are strictly followed. These are in the interest of each and every citizen’s safety, and aimed at being a successful strategy for slowing down the pandemic. In light of the Muslim occasion Shab e Baraat today, we urge every Muslim to strictly abide by guidelines and directives issued by the government and not flock Masjid, graveyards or shrines for congregational prayers.
At a time when the world’s leading Islamic sites have closed down, the Tablighi Jamaat incident is highly unfortunate and condemnable. We support an unbiased inquiry and exemplary punishment of the guilty, and request that all such instances irrespective of their religious background must be checked and condemned. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to all religious leaders from national to local levels to guide their followers to not congregate, pray from their homes, and follow regulations regarding the Covid19 should be viewed as confidence building.
We, as citizens should extend our full support to the media in helping create an atmosphere where each and every citizen is encouraged to come out and support all plans and activities that will personally save them from the risk of contacting Covid19 and also make them realize that non-adherence to regulations will risk the lives of their family members, friends, neighbors and other countrymen. There have been lots of incidents in the last few days where hate content and false news could actually discourage people from honest and voluntary reporting. This is the time when news and information about good practices, heroic deeds, and use of modern science and technology must be spread to every Indian as a measure of community building and nation building. This way, R&D in all spheres of fight against Covid19 would also pick up momentum and useful learning can be replicated fast.
There are now innumerable cases of buildings and premises of Muslim organizations that have been converted into quarantine centers, and hubs for other logistics support. We pledge to the Prime Minister and the Government of India that as and when more such assets are required we will be second to none. We appeal to all our brothers and sisters to give all possible support to those in the frontline duty including doctors and healthcare workers, and the police machinery who are putting their lives on stake to save us and the country.
Last but not the least it is an appeal to each and every citizen to come out to help those unfortunate who are today mostly indirect victims of the virus, especially the migrant labourers. There are heartwarming stories of Muslim social workers from each and every nook and corner of India in terms of how they are helping the needy with food, medicines, shelter, money etc, but we need to have more such heroes. Here also we would like to promise PM Modi and his government, as well as all the State Governments and the officers managing relief across the country that our community will be at the forefront at any relief resource, message mobilization and other work. You can count hundred percent on us.