The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Muhammad Bello, has directed worshippers to hold Eid prayers in the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques in order to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The minister’s directive was contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary ( CPS) Anthony Ogunleye on Tuesday.
The minister who chaired a meeting of the FCTA and a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative to discuss the modalities of holding Eid prayers for the upcoming Eid el-Fitr celebrations thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the course of the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT.
Bello said having gone through a first and second wave of Covid-19, it was imperative to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.
The minister said, “Consequently, based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 on Monday. 10th May 2021.The following guidelines are hereby issued:
“There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road).
“All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques.
“Indoor worship are to be limited to less than 50% of installed capacity.
“Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.
“All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing and hand washing are to be observed.
“All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed” he said.
The Chairman of the FCT League of Imams Initiative, Dr Tajudeen Adigun, who spoke on behalf of the League, said “In Islam, you listen to experts, those who are specialists and those who have actually discussed with us are experts in the field of medical sciences. In Islam, you also abide with the commands of leadership
“Based on this and what we are convinced of, we urge Muslim Ummah to also respect this stand of the Administration of the FCT by observing our Eid prayers within our localities,” Adigun added.
