Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday thanked all political parties for lowering confrontational discussion and taking steps towards a united front to fight COVID-19.
“Great nations show their mettle in difficult times & emerge stronger. We will too,” the president wrote on his twitter handle.
The president mentioned that a “positive shift is also visible in the press, electronic and social media” on dealing with the issue of COVID-19.
Dr Alvi, a day earlier, had appealed to the nation and political parties to set aside their differences and rise unitedly to meet the challenge of Coronavirus.
President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday performed his Friday prayer at home instead of the usual congregation at mosque, citing a Hadith that asked faithful to avoid mixing of healthy with sick.
“I decided to perform Zohar in my house today instead of Juma. May Allah forgive me,” the president tweeted after the Friday prayers, which Muslims routinely perform as gathering at mosques.
The president quoted a saying of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) in relevance with the current situation of epidemic.
“I am attracted to Hadith of the Prophet who said ‘Sick should not be mixed with healthy’ and when I don’t know who is sick and who is healthy, I save others from my infection too,’ he said.
President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday asked youth organizations to prepare themselves as volunteers to fight the challenges lurking in the wake of Coronavirus outbreak.
In a video message shared by President Office’s Media Wing, he said youth groups of both political and religious parties could act effectively in providing assistance to the people in isolation and quarantine.
However, he emphasized that volunteers must protect them first before helping out others. He mentioned that China’s youth volunteers had set an example during the lockdown amid COVID-19 epidemic.
The president thanked the social welfare organizations in the country for already gearing up for food distribution as the government advised public to ensure social distancing. He called upon the nation to start giving away Zakat and alms to the needy.
“I have full confidence in my nation that it will emerge as a strength after challenging situation,” he said.
Dr Alvi said everyone had to fight Coronavirus right from his home by avoiding social contact.
He said doctors were the frontline defence in this war against Coronavirus, saying “he wanted to encourage them for their important role in present and coming times”.
The president, also a medical doctor, shared the correct use of a folded handkerchief by using its inside layer when wiping off the face to ensure hygiene and control spread of germs.
