Inamul Haq & Ayi Trisna Wijayanti
The world is fighting with Covid 19 and research is going on to find out the reasons, medicines and vaccination. While as sub-continent is engulfed with religious beliefs and started curing the virus with religious methodologies. The familiar trend that erupted in South Asia particularly that whenever a catastrophe occurs, a large number of people remembers religion. Historically, the base is strong also as there is evidence that such pandemic diseases erupted from time to time and people take help from religious beliefs. In the 14th Century, bubonic plague broke out in Europe. During initial days’ religious leaders contended that the disease was a punishment from God for people’s sinful ways of life. Prayers and, more so, penance for one’s sins, including flogging oneself, were seen as ways to protect oneself from the epidemic. However, there was no relief despite all pious exertions, people slowly losing faith in the religion. In South Korea, the Shincheonji religious group is accused of the rapid spread of the virus in the country. All forms of worship, from China to Vatican City to Iran, have been closed as part of the efforts to prevent the virus from spreading. In almost all countries, Religious authorities have asked worshippers to follow religious ceremonies on local TV channels or via Facebook Live, rather than congregate at their usual places of worship. We agree that religions provide as well advocate a spirit of community and humanity. Instead of showing rigidity or orthodoxy, it was the need of the time that religions advocate people to take precautionary measures. The result would be different. Indonesia and Malaysia where most cases are positive due to religious gathering. However, their respective governments issued advisories to stay away from gatherings. The people did not heed until the number crossed to 1700 in Malaysia and 700 in Indonesia. Similarly, in Bangladesh, when such advisory was issued, the people come out on roads and protest against it. India’s is having strong cultural and religious traditions of celebration whether it is for a good cause or communal agenda. In the first address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India should maintain Janata curfew on Sunday (22 March 2020) and in the evening the nation would deliver thanks to the health workers by clapping hands from home without breaking the practice of curfew and social distancing. However, the Janata curfew ended in celebration in the streets with firecrackers in many parts of the country. Muslim congregational prayers on Friday, Sunday church services, and similar mass gatherings among different religious communities are going on in India irrespective of threat.
If the virus threat continues for long and people do not follow the instructions, then you and your arrogance are more dangerous than the Covid-19. ————————————————————————————————-Similarly, In Pakistan, some religious personalities advised people to stay away from gatherings. However, some insisted that they come to pray. Yesterday, a WhatsApp forward came from a so-called Mufti of Pakistan, who issued a fatwa that people should come out from their house and pray Azan in all mosques. This resulted that people start gathering in their respective mosques. The question arises that if religion is medicine for all diseases then what was the need for medical science. Have we understood religion or we need to understand it? If the government is issuing advisories to stay away from gatherings. Does it mean that is attacking religion? No, such advisories come as a precautionary measure. If the number increases and more fatalities would occur, who will be responsible, government, medical science or ignorance? Humans beings always want some relief in times of distress. While as, religious leaders all over the world have always converted these moments of helplessness into opportunities to make their presence felt. Religious beliefs are not going to be erased overnight due to the Covid-19 outbreak. But neither is it going to be business as usual for organized religions. If the virus threat continues for long and people do not follow the instructions, then you and your arrogance are more dangerous than the Covid-19.
(The author is working at the Central university of Gujarat. Views are his own, [email protected])
