Qunoot-e-Nazilah to be added to prayers in Maldives over novel coronavirus virus threat

Islamic Ministry, on Thursday, announced the decision to read Qunoot-e-Nazilah during daily prayers held in local mosques to pray for protection from the outbreak of diseases including the novel coronavirus which originated from China.

According to an announcement by Islamic Ministry via its official Twitter account, Qunoot-e-Nazilah will be added to daily prayers starting from the Maghrib prayer this Thursday.

ކޮރޯނާ ވައިރަސްއާއި ހިމަބިހިފަދަ ނުރައްކާތެރި ބަލިތައް ފެތުރުން މިދުވަސްވަރު ޢާންމުވެފައިވާތީ، މިފަދަ ނުރައްކާތެރި ބަލިތަކުން ސަލާމަތްކޮށް ދެއްވުން އެދި 2020 ޖަނަވަރީ 30 ވާ ބުރާސްފަތި ދުވަހުގެ މަޣްރިބު ނަމާދުން ފެށިގެން، ޤުނޫތު ނާޒިލާ ކިޔާގޮތަށްވަނީ ހަމަޖެހިފައެވެ.#MVIaffairs

— Ministry of Islamic Affairs (@MVIaffairs) January 30, 2020

Qunoot-e-Nazilah is read to beseech Allah for mercy and benevolence in times of extreme distress or calamity.

The Islamic Ministry’s decision to add Qunoot-e-Nazilah to daily prayers comes in face of a global outbreak of a new type of coronavirus, which originated from the city of Wuhan in December 2019. The death toll from the illness currently stands at 170, while the number of people infected with the virus has risen to 7,711.

While any cases of the new virus have yet to be detected in Maldives, cases have been confirmed in Maldives’ closest neighbors Sri Lanka and India.

Maldives has begun entry screenings at Velana International Airport, and has designated K. Fonadhoo as a quarantine zone in face of a possible outbreak in Maldives. It has also established additional quarantine facilities at VIA and suburban Hulhumale’ and a designated ICU at Dharumavantha Hospital in Male’.