Hyderabad: Jamia Nizamia, a leading Islamic seminary has issued a fatwa (Decree) urging Muslims to not offer the Eid- Ul- Fitr prayers at Idgah or mosque in view of the lockdown.

Eid-Ul-Fitr prayers are offered in large congregation in open grounds called Idgah and inside mosque at the end of Ramzan. This year Eid is likely to fall on either May 24 or May 25, depending on the sighting of the new moon.

Jamia Nizamia head Mufti Moulana Mufti Mohammed Azim Uddin, signed on the fatwa, said in view of the lockdown under social distancing norms Muslims should stay in the homes and not venture out for the prayers. The institution had issued similar fatwas on the five daily congregational prayers and the Friday afternoon prayer in mosques even before the nation-wide lockdown was announced on March 24.