The mosque and mosquito

By Dr. Muhammad Hafizullah

It was most unusual - though the prayers for the departed soul were being held in a garden under a tent in the posh colony of Gulberg, Lahore but there were a dozen of mosquito repellent coils all around. The coils were emitting thick smoke and pungent smell. In usual circumstances people would have objected to smoke and smell but in the current scenario it received their approval and everyone appreciated the efforts put in by the hosts. The norms of life have changed and people took only very little time to adjust to the new stark realities of life. 

Very few things have had such a profound effect on daily lives of everyone such as dengue fever. The way people dress up has changed and many admit, though jokingly, what the clergy could not do in decades the mosquito did it in weeks. Very rarely people venture out of the house without full sleeve shirts and proper trousers. Schools changed the uniform and for once utility and 'need of the day' was preferred over beauty. Many students reported to school with laboratory overall who could not manage to have full sleeve shirts. Head scarves are being enforced not out of modesty or religious consideration but to prevent mosquito bite.

The mosque is only five minutes' walk but my brother preferred to go by car to prevent unnecessary exposure. I was told that more people have started coming to the mosque considering dengue fever as a warning from Allah Subhana Wa Taala. Many more have stopped going to mosque - especially at Fajar and Maghrib to avoid exposure to the lethal mosquito bite. Even in the mosque most people, now, prefer to offer prayers inside the hall than in open to prevent undue exposure. Mosques smell coils and extra effort is put in to close the main door.

People exercise extra care and apply mosquito repellents before venturing out.  Lahorites are fun loving people and many used to visit parks in the evening - some enjoyed walking whereas many enthusiasts preferred jogging. MM Alam Road - the food street of Lahore is unusually busy at nights as many prefer to take dinner outside. But not anymore - in the early days of panic people stopped going out and preferred staying at home. Golf courses used to be in great demand in the evenings and some zealots used to go early in the mornings. But suddenly things have changed - parks have been deserted and golf courses are waiting for the players.

Dining at night is no longer in fashion and people have confined themselves to their houses in the evenings.

Even at home life has changed a lot! There is undue stress on closing windows and doors. Most prefer to stay inside with fan on. Special efforts are put in to use coils round the clock. Ornamental plants have been shifted out and people tend to shy away from all kind of plants. There is great stress bordering to obsession on removing any collection of water. Some are experimenting with newer agents and share their experience with others. Even small children understand the seriousness of the ailment and very willingly cooperate.

The dinner at the posh Gymkhana Club was most memorable for many reasons! As we entered we wanted to avoid spaces under trees and near gardens. The host wanted to park the car as close as possible to the entrance to ensure quick entry to the club. Outside dining was never considered as an option.

The table was selected for its distance from the entry door and proximity to fan and mosquito repellent coils. Though waiters took some time to take and process the order but were very quick to comply with providing additional fan and another coil as one of us suspected a mosquito in the area.

Needless to say the discussion revolved around mosquito - the characteristics, number of eggs laid, changing habitat, more importantly practical preventive measures and apathy of those at the helm of affairs. So high is the sensitivity that during that one hour everyone felt a prick like sensation as if bitten by an insect or perhaps mosquito!

Everyone has mended one's way of life! Children have grudgingly agreed to stay within the four walls. Parents had to invent more indoor games to keep them occupied. Blessed be TV that keeps everyone glued to it from morning to evening. 

Media has played a very positive and also a negative role in dengue fever. It has raised public awareness to the extent that every Tom, Dick and Harry regardless of the educational background can give an expert opinion on mosquitoes, preventive measures and complications of dengue fever.  It has kept people informed of number of deaths occurring in different cities. It has also taken into account of scarcity of resources and in a way made a case for opening more health care facilities. But it has raised undue alarm and created panic with a profound sense of helplessness.  A pure medical problem has been politicised and blown out of proportions.

It is amazing how a small mosquito has caused havoc in our country and literally affected every fabric of the society. It had a profound effect on everyone's life regardless of age, sex, social status and educational background. This ailment has afflicted everyone and claimed a very heavy toll from all segments of society. Most look at it as an ailment but those who have the intellect to see beyond the wall consider this to be a warning from Allah Subhana Wa Taala.  Some advocate that it has affected the way we dress, our evening pastimes and night life. Intellectuals point out that what thousands of sermons and preachers could not accomplish has been achieved by this little monster. Men and women have started dressing more modestly. Most families have started spending time together at home rejuvenating family life. And more importantly some people, though a few,  perceived it as a stern warning from Allah Subhana Wa Taala and put in efforts to amend the wrongs of life to lead a life that should please Allah and His Prophet.

mhu777@gmail.com