In the context of the complicated development of the Covid-19 epidemic, religious organizations have strictly implemented advisories by the Government and the national steering committee for prevention and control of the disease.
Leaders of 43 religious organizations have issued dispatches to dependent organizations asking them to reduce masses of large crowds and not to invite religious dignitaries from aboard, especially from countries affected by the epidemic (Italy, France, Korea, and Japan).
The Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) has canceled plans welcoming Buddhist delegations from China and Nepal, and bought facemasks to support overseas Vietnamese in Japan, as well as suspended festivals and summer retreats.
Other religions like Islam, Baha’i faith, the Pure-Land Buddhist Association, Hoa Hao Buddhism, Caodaism, Minh Su faith and Minh Ly faith, etc have canceled general meetings, seminars, tenet examinations.
In addition, religious organizations also have made contributions to the Covid-19 prevention fund launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee. The Vietnam Later-Day Saints of Jesus Christ Church donated 50,000 facemasks, worth 300 million VND and the Vietnam Word of Life Church contributed 100 million VND to the fund. The VBS also supported the setting up of five negative pressure rooms, worth 3.5 billion VND, asked the provincial VBS chapters and followers for their support and assistance in buying equipments and supplies for people in concentrated isolation areas.
Besides, several Buddhist dignitaries attending a meeting held on March 6 in Nghe An province having close interaction with No. 21 and have strictly implemented self-isolation in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Health.
Regarding to the Islam community, from February 27 to March 1, an Islamic event was held at Seri Petaling Mosque in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, gathering about 16,000 Muslims from countries, including Vietnam. Some 94 Muslims from the provinces of An Giang, Tay Ninh, Ninh Thuan and Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam were reported to have taken part in this event. Five Muslim representative committees and the religious committees in the provinces and cities having Muslim followers have been asked to timely report about itinerary, contacts and meetings, etc of these believers to the national steering committee on Covid-19.
PH
