Bharat Chauhan/Gyaan Prakash New Delhi, The coronavirus pandemic has emerged as an
unprecedented public health challenge that continues to severely impact every country
across the globe, including India. The impact of the pandemic is far reaching and has
gone beyond just being a health emergency.
Public health emergencies such as COVID -19 lead to fear and anxiety that gives rise
to stress, violence and stigma. The need of the hour is solidarity, kindness,
cooperation and support towards each other.
“In times of humanitarian crisis, faith can be a powerful sustaining force. Faith leaders
play a critical role in influencing values, attitudes, behaviours and actions that affect
the development and wellbeing of the world’s children. The need of the hour is
solidarity and compassion. Let us only look at facts and not misinformation. Let us be
supportive of each other and observe social distancing. We are reaching out to leaders
across faiths for their support to ensure that the most vulnerable women and children
are supported, and their rights protected at this crucial time”, said Dr. Yasmin Ali
Haque, Representative, UNICEF India.
Faith traditions can play a critical role in containing the spread of the disease and
helping people cope with its fallout. By focusing on spiritual calmness and inner
serenity, faith leaders have an important role in urging followers to take the necessary
precautions to protect oneself, society and community in accordance with government
directives.
UNICEF urges faith-based welfare organizations to:
To honour national health authorities’ guidance on public gatherings, physical
distancing and other critical matters of public health
Focus on hygiene and sanitation in keeping with religious teachings and sacred
texts that emphasize cleanliness as an element of holiness.
Counter all forms of stigma and discrimination with active promotion of attitudes
and behaviours to uphold the principles of love that are central to all religions
and the dignity and rights of all people.
Provide spiritual and emotional care and support for parents, children, the
elderly and those experiencing disruption and distress during the pandemic.
Stand united in hope and solidarity for the survival, protection and development
of our children, families and communities.
Quotes from Faith Leaders
Swami Chidanand Saraswati, President, Parmarth Niketan and Founder of
Ganga Action Parivar, Co-founder, Global Interfaith Wash Alliance
It’s heartening to note that faith leaders are lending their voice to spread the message
of togetherness and unity in times of crisis. All health workers, media professionals
are all working tirelessly to support humanity. So help them to help you. Stay at home. We are getting to know that violence in the home is increasing a lot in this time.
Instead of turning to violence, let us support each other in the home and share the
work in the household with love, especially in spending time with and looking after our
children who can also get scared and anxious during this time. It is the time to spread
love and kindness and work together. This is the time to be peaceful and meditate.
People are also getting swayed by misinformation and I urge them to only follow
government instructions and guidelines.
Maulana Mahmood Madani, Secretary General, Jamiat Ulema E Hind
“At this time when humanity is under threat, we want to stand behind in full support of
all our health workers. It is a shame that we are assaulting health workers. This is not
the spirit of our country. To protect yourself and to protect your community is each
one of our duty. It is sin, haram if any of us do not follow the rules and do not practice
social distancing or observe lockdown. It should not be that because of our selfishness
or carelessness we risk our lives or lives of others. Let us be loving in our homes and
in our communities.”
Father Paul, Executive Director, Caritas India
“Stay at home. Keep Social Distancing. Social Distancing is the best medicine to
address this pandemic. Comply with all advisories given by Government authorities.
And go with the principle that do no harm to anyone. We are all one family –
vasudaivakutumbakam. We are inspired and motivated by our faith. But, faith without
action has no meaning. We see god in the lives of those people who are sick and ailing
with corona and with people on the street who our suffering. Service to humanity is
service to god – ManavaSeva hi Madhava Seva.”
Maulana Anisur Rahman, Imarat Sharia , Patna
“Precaution is necessary to avoid spreading the epidemic. People should offer Namaz
at home, maintain social distance and strictly follow the government advisories.”
Sudershan Maharaj, Atma Kalyan Kendra, Patna
“This is the time of crisis, this is also time to come closer to our family. By staying at
home, helping family members and maintaining social distance we are contributing to
our nation being safe.”
Shri Mahant Divyagiri, Mankameshwar Math Mandir, Lucknow
“Humanity is above all religions, let us all come together to protect it from the
pandemic disease COVID -19.”
Reverend Father Ostwald Lewis, Bishop of Jaipur
“On the auspicious Easter Friday, we recall how Jesus crucified himself to give us
freedom. His crucification was a symbol of sacrifice, forgiveness and love. Today as we
fight the Coronavirus, feeling lonely and not being heard by the Almighty we need to
stay at home, stay safe and stay healthy while practicing social distancing and
handwashing. We will pray for all who have been affected by the virus so that they can
overcome the virus. We will also pray for the safety of all health care providers and
other functionaries who are helping to fight the battle and will also pray for the
government who has been so sincerely and dedicatedly fighting the battle for the
people of Rajasthan.”
Anwar Shah, Director, Al Jamea Tul Aalyah, Jaipur
“The corona virus disease or COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a pandemic by the
World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 is an infectious disease and the frequency of confirmed COVID-19 cases are increasing day by day. Keeping this in
mind, I have a humble request for you all: As you know that ShabeBara’at is a very
precious and holy night where we seek from Allah, SubhanahuWata’ala’s meaning the
mercy for any transgression or Sins. I am appealing to all of you that on this important
day and night, please offer special prayers, observe fasting, recite Holy Qur'an and
perform other religious rituals from your home only. Kindly do not venture out to
burial places or visit Mosques to protect yourself and others from the Coronavirus. We
should not become the cause of someone's death. As this area is under Section 144
and curfew owing to positive case of COVID-19, it is my appeal to please support to
the Government, Administration and Health Department by staying at home and
practicing social distancing. And follow the instructions in this Divine day and night as
well. I am certain that together we can fight Coronavirus. Inshallah.”
Anant Shri Vibhushit Shri Swami Sampata kumar Awadheshcharya Ji Maharaj,
Peethadhiswar Shri Galta Gaddi, Jaipur, Rajasthan
“Till now due to Corona Virus, people have been responding well to the government’s
directive to stay at home, to be safe. This has helped people and they are benefitting
out of it too as they practice social distancing. In the month of Vaishak, there are
several auspicious days such as Akshaya Tritiya and Ramanuj Acharyaji Jayanti. These
will be commemorated like earlier times at the temple. I will request you all to please
stay at your homes and celebrate these auspicious days as this will ensure safety for
all of us. We can offer our prayers but only from the confines of our homes. You all
need to understand that the Almighty is all pervasive and his offerings are being made
in all the temples and only the visitors are not being allowed in temples so that we can
be at homes and respect the Government’s guidance on this.”
