The Nigerian supreme council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of the sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has suspended all congregational gatherings due to the coronavirus.
The group appealed to Muslim faithful in the country to hold lectures online. In a statement on Tuesday, the sultan, who is the President-General of the council stated;
“Scholars of Islam throughout the world are unanimous that the Prophet of Islam warned against the spread of contagious diseases and urged Muslims to prevent the spread.
“Jum’ah, as an obligatory religious activity, which is temporarily suspended to prevent the spread of COVID 19 outweighs the performance of any meritorious religious act such as congregational Tarawih and the conduct of Tafsir.”
“Consequently, the Council directs that congregational Tarawih in the Mosque and the various Majalis Tafsir (sessions) and I’tikaf during the month of Ramadan of 1441 A.H be suspended. Individual Scholars and Organisations are encouraged to employ available means of disseminating information such as radio, television, other virtual facilities, print, social and traditional media”.
