The Sultan of Sokoto and President General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called on Islamic scholars and Imams to engage in special prayers, while urging Muslims to take special precautions against the raging Coronavirus.
Speaking in a statement signed by the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the Sultan expressed worry over the threats posed to life by the scourge, while calling for steps to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General is worried and concerned on the spate of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) and disturbed by the threat it poses to life.
“Apart from China, where the infection of the virus started, it spread geometrically to other countries in the world, ranging from Europe, America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Nigeria inclusive. Each country is taking stern measures in curbing the plague of the pandemic of Corona Virus, by quarantining the suspiciously infected in order to avoid its spread, while the infected are being treated in special medical facilities.
“As prevention is cheaper and better than cure; hence, JNI hereby instructs that:/All Juma’ah and five daily congregational prayers’ Imams should mount strong advocacy and enlightenment campaign against the scourge and the epidemic nature of the Corona Virus pandemic.
“They should include in their sermons and preaching the imperatives of taking serious precautionary measures of personal hygiene, such as: Constant cleaning of the environment, improving the ventilation of the Masjid and dwelling places, making effort at providing sanitisers, constant washing of the hands, avoiding rubbing the eyes with the hands, covering the nose during sneezing and washing and cleaning the Masjid toilets very thoroughly.
“Instruct the congregation to venture into multitude of taubah and istighfar (repentance and seeking of Allah’s forgiveness), be in constant dhikr, (remembrance of Allah), partake in a lot of du’a (supplication) for Allah’s intervention, fasting and giving charity to the needy.
“JNI calls on all Juma’ah and five daily congregational prayer Imams to engage in special prayers during their sermons, preaching and other sessions for Allah’s quick intervention in wiping away the Coronavirus pandemic and all other diseases bedeviling humanity.”
