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Al-Ghadir Mosque in Sarpsborg. Photo: Gisle Oddstad
It was the religious community Al-Ghadir Islamic Center in Østfold that celebrated for several days when the corona infection began to spread.
– I was very surprised when they informed us about the infection. But we stopped the celebration immediately and wanted to help ensure that everyone with the infection can be traced, says Sadiq Baker Alezairjawi, head of the religious community in a press release from the municipality.
Now he has wanted to give a statement to highlight the facts of the case, writes the municipality.
In the press release, Sadiq says that the Ashura celebration lasts for 13 days and began on August 21. It was supposed to end yesterday, but was interrupted on Sunday when news of the first contagion case arrived on Sunday.
As of Thursday night, it is clear that more than 100 people in Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg have been confirmed infected, and municipalities suspect that all of them may be related to the celebration.
294 people in the two municipalities are in quarantine.
– Seven new corona infections have been detected in Sarpsborg. Finally, it is not clear if everyone is related to the big outbreak, but there are many indications of it. This means that in Sarpsborg there are a total of around 30 infected from the same environment. In Fredrikstad, the number is just over 70, so there are now a total of more than 100 people who are likely to be infected after the Islamic holiday in Al-Ghadir, writes the municipality of Sarpsborg in a statement from press.
The GBV figures may be somewhat different as the statistics are based on the figures reported by municipalities, but show a clear increase in infection:
The director says that typically there were 60-70 men and 50-60 women participating every day. Sunday was the big party and about 170 men, women and children participated. Men and women have various events in two separate buildings, with Quran reading, prayer and subsequent meal service.
The leader emphasizes to the municipality that Antibac has been deployed, that they have been careful to keep their distance and that they encouraged participants not to participate if they had symptoms of contagion.
– I have been clear in telling members that everyone should help prevent further spread by testing and complying with quarantine rules, says Sadiq Baker Alezairjawi.
He also says that he thinks the cooperation with the municipality is good. The municipality itself has previously said that they experience a good collaboration with the organizer of the Christmas celebration.
– I am concerned about the health of the partners and not least the consequences that this may have for society, says the director.
That concern is shared by several neighbors of the faith community. A man who lives near the venue tells VG that he reacted to the number of people present over the weekend.
– I passed by there on Sunday, and then there were a lot of cars outside. I also saw that they left the room, he says.
He has no objection to the fact that there was some noise from there as well, but he reacted when he saw dozens of people outside.
– I was thinking about the crown. You can celebrate however you want, but it’s still a crown, the man tells VG.
Other neighbors VG has spoken with have also expressed concern about the number of participants.
– It is a small room and there have been many cars outside. I have no problem with having collections, but I am concerned about the spread of the infection, says one of them.
For the rest, the neighborhood with the religious community has gone well, everyone says.
– There has been no problem since they moved in. Yes, it can be a bit noisy, but they are very nice people.
