The Sultan of Sokoto and Head of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed that the Eid-el-Fitr congregational prayers in the outskirts of towns and cities across the country be suspended.
He gave the directive in a statement on Thursday signed by the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Aliyu.
The Sultan, who is also the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), urged Muslims to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at home with family members, or alone in the case of an individual living alone.
For the state governments that have have decided to observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayer, based on their medical experts’ advice, the Sultan urged them to ensure that the worshippers observe the strictest measures of social distancing, wearing face masks and using hand sanitisers at the praying ground.
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He advised the authorities to consider using neighbourhood mosques where it is absolutely necessary to observe the prayer in an open space.
The traditional ruler also urged Ulamas to fear Allah and be matured enough in guarding their utterances and actions for the overall interest of the Deen and the Ummah.
The Sultan further stated, “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.”
