<p>In view of the steep rise in the cases of COVID-19 positive cases, the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats, an apex religious body of Muslims in the state on Saturday, announced that mosques in Goa would continue to be shut till June 30 amid the fear of community transmission. The Roman Catholic Church in Goa has also expressed unwillingness to open its doors on June 8, citing the fluid situation related to COVID-19 in Goa.</p>.<p>The decision to delay the re-opening of mosques comes two days before the central government's 'Unlock-1' guidelines allow for religious places to open on June 8.</p>.<p>"We the executive committee members of the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats have decided to delay the re-opening of all masjids in the state of Goa till June 30 for the safety of members of our community and society," the statement issued by the Association's president Shaikh Bashir Ahmed said.</p>.<p>"In Goa, since June 1, COVID-19 positive cases have been on a rose. We have touched almost 196 cases (including those who are cured) in the past one week and it's an alarming spike in positive cases," the statement added.</p>.<p>The Goa Church in a statement said, that it is "critically assessing" the fluid situation related to the emergence of COVID-19 infections in various parts of Goa, it is not "in a position to declare our places of worship open from tomorrow, June 8".</p>.<p>"When we eventually decide to open up, with prudence, vigilance and careful discernment, it will be in consonance with the State Government’s SOPs, which we expect to receive by then," the statement also said.</p>.<p>Catholic account for 26 per cent of Goa's population, while Muslims account for nearly 7 per cent.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday had announced that places of religious worship could open as per the central government guidelines but had cautioned against holding mass religious gathering and community prayers in large clusters.</p>.<p>Over the last one week, the state which was zero-COVID for more than a month until May, witnessed a spike in the number of positive cases, with the official tally of active COVID-19 cases currently at 130.</p>
<p>In view of the steep rise in the cases of COVID-19 positive cases, the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats, an apex religious body of Muslims in the state on Saturday, announced that mosques in Goa would continue to be shut till June 30 amid the fear of community transmission. The Roman Catholic Church in Goa has also expressed unwillingness to open its doors on June 8, citing the fluid situation related to COVID-19 in Goa.</p>.<p>The decision to delay the re-opening of mosques comes two days before the central government's 'Unlock-1' guidelines allow for religious places to open on June 8.</p>.<p>"We the executive committee members of the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamats have decided to delay the re-opening of all masjids in the state of Goa till June 30 for the safety of members of our community and society," the statement issued by the Association's president Shaikh Bashir Ahmed said.</p>.<p>"In Goa, since June 1, COVID-19 positive cases have been on a rose. We have touched almost 196 cases (including those who are cured) in the past one week and it's an alarming spike in positive cases," the statement added.</p>.<p>The Goa Church in a statement said, that it is "critically assessing" the fluid situation related to the emergence of COVID-19 infections in various parts of Goa, it is not "in a position to declare our places of worship open from tomorrow, June 8".</p>.<p>"When we eventually decide to open up, with prudence, vigilance and careful discernment, it will be in consonance with the State Government’s SOPs, which we expect to receive by then," the statement also said.</p>.<p>Catholic account for 26 per cent of Goa's population, while Muslims account for nearly 7 per cent.</p>.<p>Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday had announced that places of religious worship could open as per the central government guidelines but had cautioned against holding mass religious gathering and community prayers in large clusters.</p>.<p>Over the last one week, the state which was zero-COVID for more than a month until May, witnessed a spike in the number of positive cases, with the official tally of active COVID-19 cases currently at 130.</p>
