COVID 19: We Prefer To Pray At Home For Now, Ekiti Muslims Tell Fayemi

The President, Nigeria Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Ekiti State, Alhaji Yaqubu Sanni, has disclosed that Mosques and other Islamic worship centres shall remain closed in Ekiti.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had recently announced that all churches and mosques operating in Ekiti can commence operation on July 17 after the nationwide lockdown barring religious activities was pronounced on March 29.

Sanni said the suspension of activities in mosques was taken, because all the safety protocols can not be met within the time frame stipulated by the government.

Speaking in a statement  made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti explained that the decision to keep worship centres closed was majorly to endure safety.

“Muslims in the Government Committee on the re-opening of worship centers and health officer educated members on how to guard themselves from Covid-19 and conditions to be met before the re-opening of mosques in the State.ALSO READ

“After reviewing the guidelines, it was agreed that the conditions for re-opening of mosques as discussed could not be met within the stipulated time frame, that is, between now and July 17, 2020.

“Hence, it was resolved that the Muslims in Ekiti State would hold on for a while in preparations to meet the conditions laid down”, Sanni said.

The NSCIA  applauded  the State Government for the steps taken to safeguard the lives of worshippers in Ekiti State against the pandemic.

The government said  religious centres with coronavirus prevention facilities will only be allowed to resume activities, while  certificates of compliance must be received from the Ministry to authenticate their readiness to reopen

The Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Gbenga Agbeyo, who said this in Ado Ekiti, on Thursday, insisted  that no religious centres would be allowed to resume without complying with the stipulated guidelines to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus .

He  said all the churches and mosques must comply with the Covid 19 safety protocols to avert the spread of the deadly disease, saying provision of requisite facilities remains the prerequisite for reopening .

Agbeyo said part of the prerequisites is that, the  religious centres must fumigate their premises, and provide running water  in front of their buildings to ensure regular hand washing .