COVID-19: Aladesawe, others task Nigerians on prayers

From Jimoh Ahmed, Ado-Ekiti
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As this year’s Ramadan progresses, Islamic Clerics have called on Nigerians to be steadfast and pray for the peace and progress of the country that could put an end to  COVID-19 pandemic currently ravaging the globe.

The clerics who observed that the pandemic have  brought  the socio economic life of Nigerians to its knees, said the country needs the prayers of both Muslims and the Christians  in this time.

They posited that though the health directives by government and health officials is sacrosanct, has only God has absolute control over the fate of humans and as such has the prerogative to deliver the  world  from the pandemic.

 Chairman, Ondo State League of Imams and Alfas, Sheikh Ahmad Aladesawe, who is also the Chief Imam of Owo while appealing to Muslims to continue to obey the ban on religious gathering, urged them to be fervent in their prayers as they continue to observe the Taraweeh prayers in their various homes.

“Although this year’s  Ramadan may have been with all features associated with it like the Taraweeh, lectures, workshops and spiritual sensitisation, Allah in His infinite mercy still accept such.

Therefore Muslims should not lose hope but have the belief that their supplications have been heard and accepted by him, he stated.

The Chief Imam of Al-Addaby Central Mosque, Owo,  Sheikh Yunus Anola in his online Tafsir programme also appealed to Muslims and Nigerians at large to continue to pray for quick end to the   virus.

Sheikh Anola urged Muslims to use the prevailing condition as it affects this year’s Ramadan programme to move closer to God, saying rather than engage in frivolities, they should reshape their faith.

Also, the Chairman, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Akoko Northwest, Sheikh  Basiru Aminu urged government and law enforcement agents to deal with any Muslim or group of Islamic organizations that contravene the government and Sultan’s directive on mass gatherings or crowd during the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheik Aminu, however reminded well to do citizens in the country to support government in the provision of essential things for the poor at this time.

One of the Islamic clerics, Sheik Jamiu Zakariyah in a chat with The Hope at Ajowa Akoko, advised Muslims not to be fanatic in their religious beliefs but adhere strictly to the directive of government on measures adopted to eradicate or curtail the spread of corona virus pandemic.

Zakariyah noted that efforts of the media at  ‘this very crucial’  time in Nigeria could not  be quantified.

A Muslim nursing officer,  Dr Fatimo Ibitoye, laid emphasis on personal hygiene during the preparation of food for Ramadan fast.

She urged people to maintain social and physical distancing, regular hand washing, ,use of sanitizer and the face, saying it is a  very important  precautionary measures against the spread of corona virus in the country.