COVID-19: Kwara Announces Date To Begin Jumma’at Prayers Proper

Months after the suspension of Friday Islamic congregational prayers by Kwara State by the government in other to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the state, a new date has been announced to resume the same.

On Tuesday, June 16, the Council of Ulamas announced the resumption of the congregational prayer starting from Friday, June 19, 2020.

It could be recalled that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State in March 2020, bans religious gathering in the state following the outbreak of the novel virus in Nigeria and as well an index case recorded in the state.

This development is coming following a resolution by the Emir of Ilorin who doubles as the chairman of the state council of chiefs, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and the state COVID-19 technical committee headed by Kayode Alabi, the deputy governor of Kwara State.

On his part, Justice Salihu Oloruntoyin Mohammed, the council’s secretary disclosed in the statement released a few moments ago at the state capital that “the state government has agreed in principle to fumigate Juma’at mosques across the state to curtail the community spread of Coronavirus infection among worshippers.”

“All ablutions and toilet points in all our mosques in the state will remain open at all times.”

He added, “Provision of soaps, running water for the congregation to wash their hands properly before entering the mosques and the use of soap against the use of hand sanitizers has been approved.

“Council also accepted the use of face masks by all worshippers two metres social and practical distancing must be strictly adhered to while observing all solats as well as Juma’at prayers,”

Speaking on the participation of women and children at the congregational prayer, Mohammed said, “females and children worshippers may attempt Juma’at services but also, they must strictly observe COVID-19 safety protocols.”

Naija News understands that all chief Imams leading Juma’at services were urged to read short chapters of the Holy Quran during the prayers in other to end the prayers within a stipulated time.

Also, worshippers are admonished to leave the mosques immediately after prayers and head to their houses for other supplications while they read the Holy Quran. The statement warns further that all Muslim faithful should stick strictly to the already laid down COVID-19 guidelines to avoid the spread of the killer disease.

Meanwhile, Naija News had reported a popular Nigerian prophet, Prophet Paul Abam, who was paraded in Cross River for burying charms in someone’s house, has confessed to planting charms in people’s houses to lure them to seek “miracles.”