Borno, Yobe and Kano state governments have approved the observation of congregational prayers in respect of the Eid-el-Fitr celebration, contrary to earlier directives from the Federal Government and the Sultan of Sokoto that Muslims should stay at home.
In Yobe State, the Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Huztaz Babagana Malam Kyari, said the Eid prayers would be held across the 17 local government areas of the state.
Kyari said the Yobe State Government would rather encourage its teeming muslim population to come out and pray to Allah against the pandemic than stay at home.
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He said the people would be guided by the state’s COVID-19 committee to observe the Eid prayers.
The story is the same in Borno State as the State High-Powered Committee on the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19, headed by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Hon Umar Usman Kadafur, has sanctioned Eid-el-Fitr prayers across the state with certain conditions.
Borno State governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, had earlier directed the committee to consult with the Shehu of Borno and then host a meeting to be attended by the Imam Idaini of Borno and all Imams of Eid prayer grounds in the metropolis to critically discuss the possibility of allowing Eid prayers across the state but under strict preventive measures.
Following the conclusion of the meeting, Hon. Salihú Aliyu Kwaya Bura, the Commissioner of Health and Secretary of the High Powered Committee on Borno State Covid-19, issued a statement confirming the decision to defy the Federal Government’s earlier directive to the contrary.
“The Chairman, Borno State High-Powered Committee on the prevention and mitigation of Covid-19, His Excellency Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, on behalf of the committee and the government of Borno State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, mni, FNSE, wish to felicitate with the Muslim Ummah and the good people of Borno State during this period of Ramadan fast.
The Committee wishes to appreciate the cooperation and commitment of all and sundry towards the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
“The government acknowledges the fact that some of the measures taken might have inconvenienced a large proportion of the public, but I wish to reiterate that all decisions were taken in good faith in furtherance of the responsibilities of our government, which is generally compassionate, responsible and responsive.
The statement reads: “I wish to state further that the committee held wide consultations with the Ulamas and resolved as follows:
That the public may observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the designated Eid grounds between the hours of 8-10 am on that day..In furtherance of measures of infection prevention, the committee has made available hand sanitizers at strategic points for use by the public, and therefore urges the public to take full advantage of such.
*The committee wishes to reiterate that the public should strongly observe the use of face masks and practice social distancing.
* The committee further advises that all persons above 60 years of age, those with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, asthma or chronic respiratory disease and acute febrile illnesses should please refrain from attending the Eid prayers.”
The Kano State Government said yesterday that the Eid-el-Fitr prayers will hold in mosques across the state on Sallah day with strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
The state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, had last Tuesday succumbed to pressure by religious leaders in the state to approve the holding of open prayers on Sallah day to mark the Eid-el-Fitr.
Ganduje, who also approved Sunday service for Christians, mapped out detailed protocols to be followed during the religious gatherings.
Already, the state government has fumigated mosques and churches across the state with a plan to make large quantities of face masks and other personal protection equipment (PPE) available to religious leaders.
Ganduje during one of the meetings with religious leaders also ordered that physical distancing and other COVID-19 protocols should be observed during the gathering, which would be closely monitored by security agencies.
Reacting to Federal Government’s directive that religious gatherings should not take place during lockdown period, the state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, said the state government has no choice but to go ahead with its earlier approval for the Eid-el-Fitr prayers to take place.
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He said: “Our people will pray in mosques. We have already decided on this issue and strategies on how to ensure their safety have been put in place.
“The Kano State Government has been working hand-in-hand with the Federal Government in our efforts to curtail the spread of coronavirus.
“The COVID-19 protocols will be strictly adhered to by worshippers at the Eid prayer ground.
We have taken the decision for them to conduct Eid prayers in the state. To change gear now could amount to another thing, and it makes no meaning.”