JNI urges Islamic clerics to avoid group prayers, sermons during Ramadan

The Jama’atu Nasir Islam (JNI) has advised Islamic scholars and clerics to avoid congregational prayers and sermons during the Ramadan fast, urging Muslims to observe government’s lockdown order to curb spread the COVID-19 in the country.

Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubaker Aliyu, said this year’s Ramadan was coming with a difference occasioned by the deadly disease ravaging the globe, and as such, Muslims should abide by the precautionary measures against the pandemic.

He explained that due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the Ummah’s enthusiasm needed to be bolstered against palpable fear over outbreak of the disease.

His words: “It should be stressed that all optional and non-obligatory prayers are originally preferred to be observed at home, although it is desirable to observe them in congregations.

“To sum it up, there will not be the annual Tafsir sessions and no congregational Taraweeh in mosques, until the situation permits. We should, therefore, pray with our families at home and stay safe.

“This is a Ramadan with a difference as most people will be under lockdown. Hence, they will certainly be in dire need of assistance, because of the economic realities and the attendant suffocating inflationary trends.”