By Timothy Ojo
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has banned public and physical gatherings of faithfuls during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week.
Making the announcement, Tuesday, in Sokoto, the President-General of the Council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, also the Sultan of Sokoto, also urged Muslims to hold lectures online as part of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The Sultan said: “Scholars of Islam throughout the world are unanimous that the Prophet of Islam warned against the spread of contagious diseases and urged Muslims to prevent the spread.
“Jum’ah, as an obligatory religious activity, which is temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID 19 outweighs the performance of any meritorious religious act such as congregational Tarawih and the conduct of Tafsir.
“Individual Scholars and Organisations are encouraged to employ available means of disseminating information such as radio, television, other virtual facilities, print, social and traditional media for dissemination of tafsir and other da’awah activities.
“Consequently, the Council directs that congregational Tarawih in the Mosque and the various Majalis Tafsir (sessions) and I’tikaf during the month of Ramadan of 1441 A.H be suspended.”