KATHMANDU, April 24: The Ministry of Health and Population has conducted throat swab tests of Muslim leaders and staffers affiliated to various mosques inside Kathmandu.

Speaking at a press meet organized by the ministry, chairperson of National Muslim Commission, Sameem Miya Ansari, thanked the government for carrying out throat swab tests in various mosques in Kathmandu. "I urge the government to conduct throat swab tests in all mosques and madrasas across the country," he said.

The development comes after a significant number of coronavirus infections reported among the people from the Jamati Muslim at a mosque in Udayapur district. So far, more than 20 Muslims, including 12 Indians, have been tested positive for novel coronavirus in the mosque. They are undergoing treatment at a corona special hospital in Biratnagar. Likewise, three other people were also found to be infected by the virus in Parsa.

The chairperson of the Muslim Commission urged the people from Jamati Muslim group to undergo the swab throat tests in their respective districts.

"Some coronavirus cases have already been reported in the mosque in Udayapur. Keeping in mind the rise of coronavirus cases in Jamati Muslims, let's test for the virus. It is our obligation to test the virus so that there will not be any community transmission in future," Ansari said.  He urged the Muslim community to strictly follow the lockdown orders enforced by the government.

Don't stigmatize the Muslims 

While extending his best wishes to the Muslim community on the eve of a month-long Ramjan, Ansari asked everyone from his community to conduct prayers in their homes. "I request everyone to avoid crowds and conduct prayers at home," he said, adding that everyone should maintain physical distance to stop the spread of novel coronavirus. 

The chairperson of Muslim Commission also refuted rumors that the Muslim community was responsible for spreading deadly virus in Nepal. "Muslim community should not be stigmatized," he said. Ansari said that his office has provided data to the government relating to the number of Jamati Muslims in Nepal.

During today's press meet, MoHP spokesperson Bikash Devkota provided latest updates on the COVID-19 in Nepal. According to him, the COVID-19 cases have climbed to 48 in the country as of Thursday. 

Earlier this week, a meeting of the Commission directed the concerned organizations and religious bodies to submit within two days the number of Tablik Jamaatis in Nepal.

The meeting presided over by Ansari instructed the leaders of the Jamaat groups to submit complete information and particulars from the madrasas and mosques across the country.

According to Ansari, there are around 100 foreign religious Jamaat group members in Nepal who have come for religious purposes and are stuck at various mosques due to the lockdown. The meeting also constituted a seven-member committee under Ansari's coordination to monitor the mosques and madrasas across the country and to support the government to fully enforce the lockdown.

The Commission is working to form monitoring and inspection committees in various districts to monitor the mosques. “The committee is working closely with the local administration and police in this connection,” he said.

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