Eid prayers at home in Southwest states, Kwara - The Nation Nigeria

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan, Kolade Adeyemi, Kano, Justina Asishana, Minna and Duku Joel, Maiduguri

• Muslims turn out in Kano, Borno, others
• How it was celebrated in Saudi Arabia

Eid-El-Fitr prayers were on Sunday observed in private homes in most parts of the states in the Southwest, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Eid praying grounds remained firmly locked as Muslims faithful respected the COVID-19 protocol and the directive by Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar, who is the President General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

However, in some states in the North — Kano, Borno, Yobe, Niger, Gombe and Nasarawa — Muslims had congregational end of Ramadan prayers.

In many of the states, social distancing, wearing of face masks and washing of hands with soap were observed.

The Agodi Muslim prayer centre, Oja’ba Central Mosque and other worship centres in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were deserted.

In Ogun, the faithful prayed at home.

The Wakeelul Muslimeen of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta states, Sheik Iskeel Muhammad Awwal (aka Sugar), said the Ramadan is just a template on how a Muslim should live.

He called on the government to reconsider the ban placed on worship centres.

He said all necessary physical and social distancing rules would be strictly adhered to should the ban on worship centres be lifted.

In Ondo State, Muslims also stayed away from prayer grounds.

The experience was the same in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola prayed with some of his aides at the Government House.

The President of Osun State Muslim Community, (OSMC), Alhaji Mustafa Olawuyi, celebrated Eid el-Fitr with his family members and led them in prayer.

In Ekiti, the Muslim faithful complied with the restrictions on religious gathering by observing most Eid-el-Fitri related activities at home.

Most mosques and prayer grounds were under lock as there were no early prayers usually observed to mark the completion of the Ramadan season.

Lagos

In Lagos there were no Eid prayers across the state. Eid grounds were under lock and key in places visited by our reporters.

Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat, urged the Muslim Ummah to celebrate responsibly while maintaining social distancing rule.

In his message through his Instagram page, Dr. Hamzat,prayed for all those battling the COVID-19 virus everywhere in the world to experience complete healing.

He advised everyone to observe all the measures so far introduced, like social distancing, hand washing, use of face masks and hygiene, among others

“I implore us to please celebrate responsibly with our loved ones

in the confines of our homes while maintaining the social distancing rule.

“As we celebrate the end of Ramadan fast, may all our supplication be accepted and our lives renewed.”

Ilorin

In Ilorin, the Emir canceled the homage to the governor

Alhaji lbrahim Sulu-Gambari who is also the permanent Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, ordered the cancellation of the 2020 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah homage in a statement by his media aide, Malam AbdulAzeez Arowona.

The royal father, who was expected to lead other traditional rulers in the Ilorin Emirate to pay Eid-el-Fitr visit to the Government House on Monday, said he would no longer embark on the traditional homage.

“This is in line with strict adherence to the lockdown and movement restriction order imposed in the state and aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19,” the Emir said.

He urged residents of Ilorin Emirate to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr with decorum and extend charity to the less privilege to further promote unity and prosperity.

Sulu-Gambari charged community heads, district heads, ward heads, groups and associations to be vigilant and ensure social distancing during and after Sallah celebration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all Eid praying grounds in the emirate were empty yesterday as worshippers stayed away in compliance with government directive.

The Muslims performed the two Eid-el-Fitr raka’ats supererogatory prayers in their various homes without sermons or use of public address system in compliance as directed by the Emir of llorin.

Muslim faithful turned out in fairly large numbers for Eid-El-Fitr prayers in some states in the north yesterday.

In Abuja, families also stayed at home to pray as part of the end of Ramadan ceremonies.

Recreation centres were also devoid of activities.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum joined Muslims for Eid prayers under strict adherence to social distancing rules.

Along with the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin Elkanemi and top government officials, he was led in the performance of two raka’at prayers by the Imam Idaini of Borno, Imam Shettima Mamman Shettima Saleh.

The Eid prayer held at the Ramat Square, a large field with capacity for tens of thousands of persons.

Huthba (Islamic sermon) was shortened to avoid keeping worshippers for long.

The Imam called for unity among citizens with prayers to end COVID-19.

He also called on the Muslim Ummah to imbibe the teachings learnt in the month of Ramadan.

Zulum, at the Government House, urged citizens to sustain prayers against the coronavirus pandemic and for the return of peace.

The governor, whose message was delivered by his Chief of Staff, Dr Babagana Wakil, also congratulated Muslims for the successful completion of the Ramadan fast.

He prayed for the attainment of full reward and Allah’s continued glory.

Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje; his deputy Dr Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, top government officials and the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders were at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground.

Chief Imam of Kano, Prof. Muhammad Sani Zahraddin, led the prayers which began at about 8:30 a.m.

He urged Muslims to continue to pray for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his message signed by the Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, Ganduje said the government was aware of the challenges posed by the pandemic.

He said Kano would continue to comply with measures set by national health authorities to combat it.

The governor urged Nigerians to imbibe the lessons of the Eid season, such as selfless service to God and humanity as well as a sincere commitment to righteous conducts in private and public life.

Ganduje paid tributes to all those who lost their lives in Kano, such civil servants, Islamic scholars, academics, judges, traditional rulers as well as businessmen.

Hisbah officials were on hand to ensure compliance with the COVID-19 protocols at worship centres.

Facemasks were distributed to worshippers as they washed their hands before moving inside the prayer ground where physical distance was maintained.

In Niger, a heavy downpour forced worshippers to abandon social distancing measures during the Eid prayers.

Hundreds of Muslim faithful gathered at the Minna Central Mosque and were observing the physical distancing protocols before the heavens opened up at about 10.30 am.

Worshippers, who wore facemasks, took shelter in the mosque.

In Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni and his deputy Idi Barde Gubana, along with other government officials, worshipped at the Government House Mosque.

Strict social distancing were observed and everyone was compelled by security men to put on their facemasks before gaining access to the prayer ground.

The situation at the Yobe Central Mosque and Islamic Center was different as there was no observance of social distancing among worshippers nor did people wear a facemask.

Some Muslims in Kebbi State observed the Eid-el-Fitr prayers inside the Emir’s Palace Juma’at Mosque in Birnin Kebbi.

This is in compliance with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) guidelines to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Speaking shortly after the prayer, Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammad Bashar-Iliyasu, urged Muslims to sustain the lessons learnt during the Ramadan period by refraining from sinful acts.

Bashar-Iliyasu, who is also the Chairman, Kebbi State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, advised his subjects to abide by government guidelines on ways of curbing the spread of COVID-19.

Kaduna

Governor Nasir El-Rufa’i on Sunday commended the patience and understanding displayed by Muslim faithful in observing the Ramadan fasting under conditions of quarantine this year.

El-Rufa’i made this commendation in an Eid-el-Fitr message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

The governor prayed that Almighty Allah would amply reward and bless these efforts.

He also praised the spirit of sacrifice and resilience displayed by the community during the fasting period and called for continued adherence to public health guidelines to protect citizens from COVID-19.

El-Rufa’i said that the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic had created limited the traditions associated with fasting and the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr this year.

”I thanked the Muslim community for abiding with the public health guidelines and avoiding congregational worship and communal gatherings to break the fast.

”I acknowledged that these public health guidelines also make it impossible to permit the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr with congregational prayers, and l thanked the Muslim community for understanding this.

”l commend the Imams especially and welcome this as another example of the spirit of sacrifice and discipline required to protect the community during dangerous periods.”I appeal to the Muslim community to keep hope alive, to continue to practice compliance with health guidelines and not to relent in prayers for an end to the disruptions caused by COVID-19,” he said.

El-Rufa’i appealed also to all communities in the state to uphold peace and harmony.

He added that all residents must observe social distancing, practice regular hand washing with soap and water, and avoid large gatherings to protect everyone from COVID-19.

The governor said that all residents must continue to comply with the terms of the quarantine orders that are enforce in the state. (NAN)

Gombe

Gombe State recorded low turnout of Muslim Faithful at the Eid prayer grounds across the state, as most of them opted for private prayers in line with the stay at home directive, occasioned by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the fanfare that usually accompanied Eid el Fitr celebration, to mark the end of Ramadan fast, was absent.

Eid prayers were held under heavy rain as some Muslim still came out to observe the prayers.

There was however, no prayer at the central Eid ground, where the Emir, Governor and other top dignitaries in the state normally hold the prayers.

Some residents who spoke to NAN, attributed the low turnout to COVID-19 pandemic, which had affected so many activities, including congregational worship.

They however, prayed to God to bring an end to the pandemic.

Malam Yunusa Mohammed, said he performed the Eid prayer with his family members at home due to the fear of contracting the virus.

“This is because performing the prayer at home with my family members, is as good as doing it at the Eid praying ground,” he said. (NAN)

Eid-el-Fitr: Tambuwal urges residents to maintain safety regulations against COVID-19

Sokoto

Governor Aminu Tambuwal has urged residents to abide by the coronavirus safety protocols put in place by the Federal Government during and after Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Tambuwal made the appeal in a special broadcast on Sunday in Sokoto, to mark the end of the Ramadan fasting and Eid-Fitr celebrations.

He lauded the Federal Government and other agencies for their support toward containing the spread of the deadly COVID-19 disease.

The governor advised citizens to remain steadfast in imbibing the culture of compassion, honesty and peaceful coexistence, which were the lessons learnt during the period of the Ramadan fasting.

”This year’s Ramadan and sallah festivities have come at a trying moment occasioned by the debilitating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on the world.

”This has necessitated unprecedented changes in our lives, thereby immensely affecting the socio-economic wellbeing of humanity.

”Though we have had our fair share of those infected by the pandemic, we remain ever grateful to the Almighty Allah for his mercies so far,” Tambuwal said.

The governor expressed appreciation to the people of the state for their cooperation during this trying moment and urged them not to relent in adhering strictly to all guidelines and measures with regards to the pandemic.

He further commended the dedication and sacrifice of health workers who are the first line of defence against the disease.

According to him, their role has not only saved many lives but also gone a long way in flattening the curve of the pandemic.

While commending the proactive response of the Federal Government to the health challenges of the citizenry, he said it was necessary to call for drastic and specific measures against banditry in some local government areas of the state.

He said lives had been lost and properties destroyed, with thousands of citizens displaced.

”In the light of these, I would like to acknowledge the efforts and patriotism of our security agencies toward ensuring adherence of the populace to rules and regulations, especially the interstate lockdown ”Tambuwal said.

He assured that his administration would continue to support in whatever way, to achieve the noble objectives of the agencies.

”Let me seize this opportunity to once again express our profound gratitude to individuals and organisations that have assisted us in cash and kind in the fight against the pandemic.

”These include BUA, Access Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, EcoBank, Nigeria Flour Mills, NNPC, some members of the National Assembly, Goodluck Ebele Johnathan Foundation and other public spirited individuals,” he said

Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule observed Eid- el-Fitr prayer at Gudi, Akwanga Local Area of the state.

Speaking after the prayers, he said no society could develop in an atmosphere of rancour and violence, hence the need for people to embrace peace and tolerate each other irrespective of religion, ethnic or political differences.

Sule noted that Nigerians, especially Muslim faithful, should sustain the peaceful atmosphere being enjoyed in the last 30 days of Ramadan.

According to him, for the past 30 days, Muslims all over the world have observed the fast in the sacred month of Ramadan in compliance with the Islamic injunction.