21st April, 2020
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has ordered the suspension of annual Tafsir sessions and congregational Tarawih prayers during the upcoming Ramadan in various mosques to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).
The NSCIA gave this directive in a statement by the Director, Administration Mr. Yusuf Nwoha, in Abuja.
He said the decision was reached at the end of stakeholders’ engagement of the General Purpose Committee meeting of the council at the National Mosque, Abuja.
President-General of the NSCIA, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar observed that 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.
”The closure of the Two Holy Mosques in the Kingdom of Saudi-Arabia for both congregational worship and social functions, which is applauded by Islamic Scholars throughout the world, is a pointer to its compliance to the Prophetic teachings on the subject matter” he said.
He noted that one of the obligatory religious activity such as the weekly Friday prayers was suspended as part of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus among Muslims.
Consequently, the Council directs that congregational Tarawih in the Mosque and the va1rious Majalis Tafsir (sessions) and I’tikaf during the month of Ramadan of 1441 A.H be suspended.