By; ONYEKACHUKWU MELUWA, Warri
Muslims in Warri, Delta State on Sunday shutdown mosques and prayer grounds as they celebrated the Eid-el-Fitr in low key.
Muslims including the Chief Imam of Warri Central Mosque in Delta State, Alhaji Abdurasheed Ajisafe held prayers with their families in their homes.
AUTHENTIC NEWS DAILY learnt that no prayers were held at the mosques and prayer grounds in warri and environs.
In a chat with Our Correspondent, the Imam said, “this is in obedience to the Federal and State Government’s directive that Muslims should pray in their homes as measures to prevent the dreaded Corona-Virus pandemic.
“The human race have sinned against God Almighty and that’s why the world is being plagued by COVID-19. It is only God that forgive the human race of their sins.
“We are praying that God should forgive everyone of us all, our unrighteousness and make the pandemic a thing of the past.
“We the Muslims, both the Christians, other people in this Country, may Allah forgive each and everyone of us.
“We belief that the human race will be blessed if God forgives our sins. Let this virus become a thing of the past totally. Let it not kill anyone of us again.”
“Muslims need to obey the Government’s directive to prove to them that they’re good Muslims.
“Am urging all Muslim faithfuls to follow the government’s order, it is in line with the Quran and the Constitution.
“As long as the Government tell us to pray, to remain calm, pray in our house, lock the mosque down, don’t go to prayer ground. We need to follow their directive. That’s why you see us, the Chief Imam praying at home.
“The President and Governors did not closed down the mosques and prayer grounds, and churches.
According to him, “It is because of the pandemic that is ravaging the world. It is for our own good. Whether you’re a Muslim or christian or any religion you belong, let us follow government’s instruction because of the pandemic.”
On his part. The Chairman of Warri Central Mosque, Suleiman Odejide corroborated the claims of the Chief Imam just as he appreciated the Government in its battle against COVID-19.
He also called on Muslim faithfuls to follow the Government’s instruction.
He said, “I want to advice that as Government has said, we should restrict ourselves to our various homes as we celebrate this Sallah. We should not do contrary to what the Federal Government has said.”
The Deputy Imam of the Warri Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdurasheed Tijani thanked God Almighty that no Muslim contracted or was killed by the COVID-19 in the area pointing out they were given all the necessary assistance by the Government.
He said, “God knows why this year’s Eid-el-fitr was celebrated on low key.
On his part, the Chairman of Area Community, Issah Hayatu prayed that, “God Almighty should take away the dreaded Corona-Virus pandemic from Nigeria and the world at large”.
