In a bid to reduce the chances of spreading the Coronavirus pandemic in the country, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has directed that all daily congregational prayers in the State should be suspended until the situation is clearly contained.
This is even as part of efforts to restrict religious services and all large gatherings, he advised Imams not to hold their Juma’at services.
In a statement made available by the state Governor’s spokesman, Muyiwa Adekeye, Friday, he stated that the administration is taking a cue from the decision of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, not to hold such prayers in the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina.
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He directed all daily congregational prayers to be suspended until the coronavirus situation is clearly contained.
The statement reads: “While no case of COVID-19 has been reported in Kaduna state so far, the government has a duty to work with all the leaders and residents of the state to jointly ensure that everything is done to reduce the chance of the disease taking root and spreading in the state.
“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 it is the practice in normal times,” Statement added.
“Church services will be suspended. Christian faithful should learn from the experience of many Christian-majority countries like Italy, France, and Germany.
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“Pastors, as well as congregants, are expected to abide by public health advice and avoid gatherings in churches. While Other means of worship and fellowship should be adopted in much smaller numbers of not more than 10 persons, for now.
“Public health expert advice is that large gatherings of more than 10 persons are not advisable at this point, and any assembly of more than 50 persons are therefore prohibited in Kaduna State until further notice.’’
The stated further added that, the government has already announced the closure of all schools – all nursery and primary schools, secondary schools and all tertiary institutions effective Monday, 23rd as part of the required containment measures.
“Accordingly, the state government has directed the immediate closure of the campuses of our KASU, Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, College of Education and of Nursing and Midwifery for 30 days in the first instance.
“Social gatherings in parties, bars, restaurants, night clubs, public parks, and such places are suspended until further notice.
“All citizens, including religious and community leaders, should do their duty in supporting these measures which will help in significantly protecting the larger society from the negative impacts of COVID-19,” it added.
