COVID-19: Sultan orders suspension of Eid-El-Fitr prayers

The Sultan of Sokoto and Head of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Sa’ad Abubakar III, has ordered the suspension of Eid-el-Fitr congregational prayers in and out of towns and cities across the country.

Onyxnews Nigeria reports that the Sultan’s order is contained in a statement on Thursday by the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Aliyu.

This reliable online news platform understands that the Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), called on Muslims to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at home with family members, or alone in the case of an individual living alone.

He also counselled the state governments that have reached concrete decisions to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts’ advice.

The traditional ruler urged them to ensure that the worshippers take all necessary measures of social distancing, face masks, and the use of hand sanitisers at the praying ground.

According to Channels TV, the Sultan stated that the authorities should consider using neighbourhood mosques if it becomes necessary to observe the prayer in an open space.

The Sultan also urged Ulamas to fear Allah and be mature enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the Deen and the Ummah.

The statement read thus: “Nigerian Muslims are, therefore, called upon to reflect their minds to the good virtues of the month of Ramadan and keep to its teachings all through their respective lives, as the Lord of Ramadan, is still and shall remain The Lord of other months, and above all keeps the records of our actions and inactions.

“More so, Muslims are reminded to keep to the ordinances of the Glorious Qur’an, for the prestige of the Muslim Ummah.”