NEW DELHI: Union minister for minority affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has issued an appeal calling for strict adherence to the lockdown and social distancing on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. Prominent Muslim organisations have also appealed to the Muslim community to refrain from visiting graveyards for prayers on the night of April 8 and instead perform prayers and other religious rituals staying inside their homes.Naqvi said that almost all the religious leaders, religious and social organisations have appealed to the Muslims to follow the guidelines of lockdown and social distancing on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. All the state waqf boards, through the Central Waqf Council , have been directed to assist the local administration in implementation of lockdown completely on Shab-e-Barat.He cautioned that any type of carelessness can be “harmful for us, our family, the society and the entire country”. “We should follow the guidelines of the administration to defeat Corona with all seriousness and honesty,” he added.Influential Muslim organisation Jamiat Ulama -i- Hind general secretary Maulana Mahmood Madani also appealed for adherence to the lockdown. He averred that Shab-e-Barat ‘blessed night’ has utmost importance in the eyes of the believers. He noted that all prayers and worship can be performed at home. While referring to the opinions of Islamic jurists (fuqaha) regarding visit to graveyards on this night, Maulana Madani said according to them, visiting graveyards not needed on every Shab-e-Barat.He further said even in normal times, getting out of the house, making noise and creating chaos on the road late at night, wandering on vehicles in hordes are not only against the teachings of Islam but also the violation of law.Madani appealed to Imams of the mosques, local influential persons and local office bearers of JUH to advise and persuade young boys to stay indoors and do not roam on the roads.