Two imams from the same mosque in Blackburn have died after contracting coronavirus.
Moulana Abdul Razzak Jalgaonkar and Moulana Abdul Majid Hodekar led prayers at Masjid-al-Momineen.
Hundreds of people from the local community would normally attend the funeral of the imams, but due to social distancing and lockdown guidelines mourners will not be able to pay their respects in the usual way.
A statement from the mosque said: “Due to the current Government guidelines we are unable to share funeral details with you. We kindly request that you abide by these rules and support us in these difficult times.”
The Lancashire Telegraph reports that the Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, councillor Mohammed Khan said: “This is very sad for the whole community as both men were well known and very well respected. I think this Covid-19 situation is going to impact many people, and the families of the imams are obviously devastated.
“I hope God will give them a higher place, and for other people, I hope they will take care of themselves during this crisis. I don’t know when this is all going to end, it seems a long way off yet, so please, take car of your families and your communities.”
Earlier this week leaders from the Masjid-al-Momineen mosque asked for the community to pray for both imams.
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A message from the mosque read: “The imams of our local masjid, Masjid al-Momineen are in need of our prayers during this difficult time. They have been inspiring us throughout the past years. The same way, it is our time to serve them, by remembering them in our prayers so that Allah can once again, bring them back into our community, to inspire us, and to once again enlighten our communities.”
The mosque is also calling on Muslims to make the best of Ramadan at home by:
- Taking the opportunity to make homes into masaajid.
- Holding congregational prayers with the family.
- Taking advantage of the lack of distractions to focus on worship.
“These are only a few of the many hidden blessings of this Ramadan. We ask Allah SWT to enable us all to utilise this once in a lifetime Ramadan well and fill it with ibaadah, barakah and mercy upon our homes. Ameen!” the mosque concluded.
