As part of preventive measures against the Coronavirus pandemic, the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has directed religious leaders to suspend all religious gatherings including Muslim Juma’at prayers, Christian Sunday services.
A statement signed on Friday by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Muyiwa Adekeye, stated that the administration was taking a cue from the decision of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, ”the cradle of Islam, not to hold Juma’at prayers in the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina.”
”In many Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, members of the public are encouraged to pray at home, and not congregate as is the practice in normal times,’’ he said.
Mr Adekeye added that church services should also be suspended, adding that Christian faithful should learn from the experience of many Christian-majority countries like Italy, France and Germany.
”Pastors as well as congregants are expected to abide by public health advice and avoid gatherings in churches.
“Other means of worship and fellowship should be adopted in much smaller numbers of not more than 10 persons, for now,” Mr Adekeye stressed.
The statement, therefore, urged all citizens, including religious and community leaders, to do their duty in supporting the measures which will help in significantly protecting the larger society from the negative impacts of COVID-19.
