Eid-il-Fitr: Borno, Kano, Bauchi, five other states defy Buhari, Sultan, hold prayers amid Covid-19 fears
Despite the instruction not to observe congregational Eid-el-Fitr prayers, Kano, Bauchi, Nassarawa, Jigawa, Borno, Zamfara, Niger, and Taraba states, have vowed to observe the traditional Sallah prayers today.
President Muhamadu Buhari and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, had urged Muslim faithful across the country to avoid converging for prayers in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But findings by Sunday Vanguard across some northern states indicated that Eid-Fitr prayers would hold in many places today. The states backed their decision with the pledge to maintain social distancing at Eid-el-Fitr prayer grounds.
However, in Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau, Benue, Kwara, and Kogi, Muslims were advised to observe the prayers in their various homes. Meanwhile, in the South-West geopolitical zone with a huge Muslim population, congregational prayers would not hold following the ban on religious activities.
KANO: Muslims to observe Covid-19 protocols In Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje urged Muslim faithful attending the two Rakat Eid-el-Fitr prayers at prayer grounds to observe all protocols provided by health experts. He said this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abba Anwar. His words: “While social distancing is absolutely necessary, face masks and handwashing with soap around the designated places for the Eid-Fitr prayer, among other protocols must also be observed strictly.
“As counselled by our learned Islamic scholars and Imams, it is advised that short sermons are to be read during Eid prayers because of COVID-19. “People should quickly disperse to their homes immediately and continue to observe all the protocols.” BORNO: Prayers to hold at designated grounds Chairman, Borno State committee on the prevention and mitigation of Covid-19, who is the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Kadafur, said Muslims would observe Eid-el-Fitr prayers at designated grounds from 8-10 am today. This was disclosed in a statement by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura.
The statement reads: “ I wish to state further that the committee held wide consultations with the Ulamas and resolved as follows: the public may observe the Eid-el-Fitr prayers at designated Eid grounds between the hours of 8-10 am on that day. The committee has made available hand sanitizers at strategic points and therefore urges the public to take full advantage of such.
“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.”
BAUCHI: Govt suspends horse riding, allows public prayers Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has suspended traditional horse riding to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state. Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media, Muhktar Gidado disclosed this in a statement. He said the governor has directed Imams to conduct prayers in their respective jumma’at mosques and Eid prayer ground nearest to their houses to ease congestion at Eid grounds. Imams should ensure that the conduct of Khutba and Eid prayers is shortened.” Vanguard
