Lagos, Abuja, Kogi mosques shut against coronavirus

Following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive on the ban of public gatherings above 50 people, many Muslim worshippers in Lagos State have shun various mosques activities.

This was in compliance with the suspension of Jumat service across some states as announced by some states government.

In Lagos, many central mosques were not opened for the weekly special service.

From Ikotun to Oshodi, Surulere, Eti-Osa and Ikorodu, many stayed away from the Mosques for the Jumat Service.

Lagos Central Mosque was shut down; Alausa Secretariat Mosque and Old Secretariat Mosque at GRA Ikeja were also shut down.

Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque was closed.

At Oluwakemi Central Mosque otherwise called Gambian Mosque, Aguda, Surulere, Jumat service did not hold also.

Many, it was learnt, only turn out for Solatul Zuhr prayer instead.

Jumat services were not held at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Lekki Central Mosque owned by the Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU).
Nasrul-Lahi-Faith Society (NASFAT) suspends weekly programmes, commence activities online.

There was the cancellation of Jumat Service at the Dawah Centre owned by The Muslim Congress (TMC) at Ijeshatedo.

Also, the management of the National Mosque, Abuja has announced the suspension of the five daily and weekly Juma’ah prayers to curb the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The mosque management, in a statement said: “In view of the current health issue, COVID-19 crisis, the National Mosque management has decided to suspend the five day congregational and Jumu’ah prayers, gatherings and other activities in the mosques and its environs.

“Open space markets and restaurants attached to the mosque are also to be closed,” it stated.

Besides, the Kogi Chapter of Nigeria League of Imams has also suspended Jumu’at prayers in mosques across the state to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The state’s secretary of the league, Alhaji Abdullah Allokojy, said the decision was taken after consultations with government, traditional rulers and medical experts in the state.

The Chief Imam of Lagos State, Sheikh Sulaimon Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, said there was major compliance last week.

“So far, I must commend the Muslim community in the state for harkening to the restriction advice. We appreciate their supports to curtail the spread of the coronavirus. We urge them to continue to pray for the eradication of the virus in our country and the world at large,” he said.

Sheikh Abou-Nolla appealed to those who do not comply to join others, saying it is for the good of the larger society.

“We will continue to expand the scope of our enlightenment. It is about our survival. Hope by henceforth, those who observe Jumat service would not do so,” he said.

The Chief Imam of Lagos State House of Assembly Mosque, Dr AbdulHakeem AbdulLateef, announced on his Facebook account that “there will be no Jumat service until further notice due to the government policy on coronavirus.”

Mufti, Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Sheikh Dhikrullah Shafi’i hailed the compliance on no Jumat service.

“I did not go to Dawah Centre at Ijeshatedo, where I usually lead Jumat service for people. Many who called me were told to go and pray Solatul Zuhr. We need to be on the same page with the government and the Chief Imam of Lagos to curb the spread of the deadly Coronavirus,” he said.

It was learnt that religious leaders sent a message to their members not to congregate for any religious activities in compliance with the Lagos Central mosque directive.

Also, a student of University of Lagos (UNILAG), Azeezah Adunola said the Jumat service at Unilag Central Mosque did not hold.

Adunola said the decision was in line with the announcement by the school authority, Lagos State Government and the Lagos Council of Chief Imams and Ulamau.

“In fact, the student were ask to go home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Avoiding crowd, Staying away from the Mosque at this trying period is part of the teaching of Prophet Muhammad. We need to protect ourselves from the infection by not congregate. We need to consider safety first,” she said.