Gov El-Rufai Announces Arrest Of Two Imams For Organizing Congregational Prayers

The Kaduna State government has announced the arrest of two Islamic clerics – Malam Aminu Umar Usman and Malam Umar Shangel – for violating the state’s restrictive order against religious gathering of more than 10 people

Governor Nasir El-Rufai had banned religious and social gatherings of more than 10 people in the state to curtail the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

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El-Rufai, who announced the arrest of the clerics in a tweet on Saturday night, said they would be prosecuted for violating the directive.

Governor El-Rufai had approved the restrictive order to help control the spread of the virus in the state.  

An earlier statement issued by his media adviser, Muyiwa, Adekeye, had said: “Imams are advised not to hold Juma’at services today. In this regard, the government is taking cue from the decision of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam not to hold such prayers in the two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madina.

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“In many Muslim-majority countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE, members of the public are encouraged to pray at home, and not congregate as is the practice in normal times.

“The Kaduna State government hereby directs that all daily congregational prayers should be suspended until the coronavirus situation is clearly contained.

“Pastors as well as congregants are expected to abide by public health advice and avoid gatherings in churches.

“Other means of worship and fellowship should be adopted in much smaller numbers of not more than 10 persons, for now.

“Public health expert advice is that large gatherings of more than 10 persons are not advisable at this point, and any assembly of more than 50 persons are therefore prohibited in Kaduna State until further notice,” the statement read.

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