Kano, Katsina, Zamfara Muslims shun social distancing to storm prayer grounds

Directives by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, which stated that there should be no large gatherings at Eid prayers was shunned by Muslim faithfuls in Kano,  Katsina, Borno,  Zamfara and Bauchi states on Sunday.

Correspondents, who monitored prayer grounds in the states, observed that there were massive gatherings with the majority of the faithful not observing the PTF’s protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks.

Recall that states, including Kano, Katsina, Borno and Yobe,  last week relaxed the Federal Government’s lockdown and allowed religious organisations to hold their congregational activities. They gave  Muslims the go-ahead to hold prayers at Eid at grounds to mark the end of 30 days fasting.

But the  Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,  led by the Sultan,  on Wednesday contradicted the state governments.

In a statement by its Deputy Secretary-General, Prof Salisu Shehu,  the NSCIA said massive gatherings at one Eid ground in a big city should be avoided. “Rather the Eid could be performed in area mosques to avoid unmanageable crowds,”  it stated.

On Thursday, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, also led by the Sultan, directed Muslims to observe Sallah prayers at home

In a statement  by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar, the JNI said, “Eid-el-Fitr congregation on the outskirts of towns and cities should be temporarily suspended.”

It also directed that “Eid-el-Fitr prayer be observed at home with family members or alone in case there isn’t anyone with him or her, at home.”

At the press briefing of the PTF on Thursday, its Chairman, Mr Boss Mustapha,  advised against large gatherings of people during the Sallah celebration.

Kano residents shun physical distancing, wearing of face masks

In Kano State, news correspondents reported that Muslim faithful trooped out as early as 8:30am to observe the   Eid-el-Fitr prayers at the various Eid praying grounds without complying with the physical distancing order.

It was observed at some Eid grounds that while some worshippers wore face masks, others refused to abide by the order.

However,  worshippers were asked to wash their hands and use of sanitisers by the people mandated to enforce hygiene rules.

But some worshippers entered the prayer grounds without washing their hands and using sanitisers.

Some of the Eid praying grounds visited included  Umar Bin Khatab Juma’at mosque, the Central Eid prayer ground located at Kofar Mata and Mahaha Eid prayer ground near the Kofar Na’isa, all in Kano metropolis.

Some Muslim leaders in the state commended Ganduje for allowing Muslims to observe the Eid prayer despite the Federal Government’s directive.

Some of the Muslims leaders, who spoke to news correspondents, in separate interviews, argued that the permission granted to Muslims by Ganduje was an opportunity for them to pray to God to end the pandemic.

The  Chief Imam of Sasif  Friday Mosque in the Gama area in the Kano metropolis, Sheikh Mohammed  Yahya, said their decision to observe the Eid prayers despite the danger was borne out of the fact that Eid ground was one of the places where prayers could be answered.

Another Muslim leader, Sheik Abubakar Umar, said their decision to obey the state government order was informed by the fact that Muslims could use the occasion to seek God’s intervention.

In Katsina State,  Muslims also observed prayers at Eid grounds to mark the end of 30 days fasting.  Many of those who thronged the prayer grounds did not observe social distancing neither did they wear face masks.

The Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Usman, was at the Kofar Guga Eid prayer ground where he and many Muslims in Katsina observed prayers to mark the end of fasting.

Borno massive crowd makes social distancing difficult

The Eid prayer attended by the Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, was held at the Ramat Square.

Although efforts were made to maintain social distancing, it was difficult to implement in areas where there were no government officials because of the crowd that thronged the prayer ground.

Only  dignitaries wear masks Bauchi, others shun social distancing

In Bauchi State, the directive of the PTF and the Sultan was ignored as residents failed to observe social distancing at Eid prayers.

The state Governor, Bala Mohammed, religious and traditional leaders had, at a meeting in Bauchi last week,  agreed that religious gatherings should resume in the state.

One of our correspondents observed that the Eid-el-Fitr prayers were not held at prayer grounds, but at Juma’at mosques.

But at the Bauchi Central Mosque, where Mohammed, top government officials, the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Suleiman Adamu and other traditional chiefs in the Emirate prayed, there were thousands who participated in the prayer.

In the mosque, it was noticed that only the prominent personalities observed social distancing and wore face masks.

But the situation was quite different outside the mosque. Social distancing was not observed by the worshippers outside. The majority of them did not wear face masks and observed other protocols set by the PTF.

Some of them after the prayers shook hands and exchanged pleasantries with friends and loved ones.

In Zamfara State,  prayers were performed mostly at Juma’at mosques and prayer grounds.

The issue of face masks was completely neglected, as only very few people were seen wearing them

Many people interviewed by expressed happiness with the action taken by the state governor to ease the lockdown as against the Federal Government directive of “stay at home.”

An Islamic cleric, Malam Sani Gusau, said, “Governor Bello Matawalle deserves commendation for easing the lockdown during the Sallah festivities”.

In Sokoto State, Muslims prayed at Juma’at mosques instead of prayer grounds.

Except for top government officials and traditional rulers, many of those who were at the mosques did not wear face masks. Also, there was no adherence to social distancing in the well-attended prayers at the mosques.

The Sultan was among dignitaries that prayed at the Sultan Bello Juma’at mosque.