New Delhi, Apr 7 (IANS): The Delhi Minorities Commission on Tuesday urged Muslims to not step out for the 'Shab-e Bara'at' and spend the time at home offering prayers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Zafarul-Islam Khan, DMC Chairman, appealed to the Muslims to not visit the graveyards but pray for their departed relatives while staying at home.

Khan made the request in view of the outbreak of cornonavirus, which has evolved into a dangerous pandemic.

"Thousands have lost their lives as a result and over a million people have been infected by this virus. In our own country over four thousand people are infected by this virus. As a safeguard, the whole country is under lockdown at present," he said.

He also said that due to the lockdown, congregational and prayers in the mosques have been curtailed and people are offering their prayers at home.

"Muslims every year observe vigil at night at mosques on the occasion of Shab-e Bara'at, offering special prayers, reciting the Holy Quran and visiting graveyards. An effective way to protect ourselves from this virus is to observe social distancing and people should not assemble at any place."

Khan said it is part of wisdom and expediency that the same is observed during the Shab-e Bara'at.

"We appeal to all Muslims to spend Shab-e Bara'at at home offering prayers, reciting the Holy Quran and doing 'zikr' and 'du'a'. Muslims should not visit graveyards but pray for their departed relatives while staying at home. We appeal, in particular, to our youth to completely refrain from going out of their homes during this night."

He also appealed to all to offer prayers to safeguard all our compatriots from this pandemic.