As Muslims the world over embark on fasting in the month of Ramadan, the Chairman, Edo State Council of Islamic Affairs Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu has advised Islamic faithful to observe all precautionary rules against the dreaded Covid-19 in the course of the spiritual exercise.
Alhaji Igbinidu said in a statement he issued in Benin City that Muslims should adhere strictly to the directive by the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Sa’ad Abubakar prohibiting observance of congregational (Tarawih) prayers and lectures throughout the Holy Month.
The chairman noted that in as much as the Covid-19 tend to deprive Muslims the opportunity to savour the true taste the traditional communality that hitherto characterized the spiritual exercise, Muslims must try their utmost in curtailing the spread of coronavirus by obeying their leaders in this regard.
According to him, the present challenge of coronavirus disease ravaging the whole world has got to have some negative impacts on the way and manner we would be observing this year’s Ramadan in Nigeria and indeed the whole world particularly, countries affected by the deadly virus.
Alhaji Igbinidu thanked the almighty Allah for making it possible for Muslims to see the beginning of the special month, the month of compulsory fasting which is one of the five pillars of Islam.
While wishing all Muslims good health, courage and zeal to observe this year’s Ramadan, the chairman prayed that almighty Allah makes it possible for them to see to a successful end of the annual spiritual exercise and most importantly accept their acts of Ibada.