Once Blamed For Covid-19 ‘Spread’, Tablighi Jamaat Steps Forward To Help Victims Get Dignified Funeral In Tirupati

The Sunni Islamic organisation Tablighi Jamaat that was highly demonised last year for allegedly spreading Covid-19 in the national capital and other parts of the country, have come forward to perform last rites of coronavirus patients. 

At an hour of crisis when country is fighting serious battle against Coronavirus, and at the same time running short on resources such as beds, oxygen, medicines, helping hands and even crematorium space, Tablighi Jamaat has founded COVID-19 Joint Action Committee (JAC) with the aim to help people during the pandemic and get Covid-19 victims a dignified funeral.

ALSO READ | ‘Everyone With Registration Will Get Vaccine’: UP Health Minister Dismisses Claims Of Vaccinating ‘Only Residents’

Under the Tirupati United Muslim Association, the memders of Jamaat conduct funerals of Covid-19 patients in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, regardless of community and religion. 

An online publication TNM quoted JMD Gouse, an active member of Tablighi Jamaat, who said, “Last year, many blamed some of us for the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, everyone is appreciating us.” 

According to the report, there are about 60 volunteers. The team includes auto drivers, workers in restaurants, daily wagers and six youths, who are neither part of Tablighi Jamaat nor Muslims. 

ALSO READ | India Registers Significant Drop With 3.66 Lakh New Covid Cases, 3,754 Deaths In Last 24 Hrs

He explained that these volunteers are divided in three teams, and each team is assigned at least four-five bodies everyday. Gouse said that they have been conducting funerals of at least 15 bodies daily based on their religious traditions.

The team has so far conducted funerals for 536 people, of which 134 were in the first wav while 402 are in the second second wave.