COVID-19: Imam orders closure of all Mosques in Cross River

The Chief Imam of Calabar Central Mosque in Calabar, Cross River State, Imam Kabeer Olowolayemo, has ordered the closure of all Mosques under the Calabar Central Mosque.

The Calabar Central Mosque is superior to all Mosques in Cross River State, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and other Mosques in the Calabar circuit,

Speaking with DAILY POST on Friday at the Calabar Central Mosque, the Chief Imam, Imam Kabeer Olowolayemo said that the closure was in obedience to Federal Government’s directive with a view to curtailing the spread of COVID-19.

“The Holy Prophet Mohammed says we should obey authority. When instructions are given for the best interest of every citizen, we must obey. We gather for the sake of God, people worship for the sake of God but in return, it is for the sake of humanity.

“The Federal Government says, in order to curtail the spread of Coronavirus, worship centres should be closed, and we know on Friday and Sunday, Nigerians who are religious worshippers, Muslims and Christians should worship in their houses and offices.

“We are being advised in order to save lives, to curtail this pandemic called coronavirus which we should abstain in totality and obey the instructions. The advice given by those in authority, even in Islam, if you have any disease which can easily be contacted by someone else, you should abstain from the Mosque, not just coronavirus; that is the advice of the Holy Prophet Mohammed”.

Imam said that the instruction of the Federal Government was in line with the teaching of Islam and in line with the teaching of Holy Prophet Mohammed.

“Right from the first day Federal Government made this announcement, we have issued out letters and communicated to all our members both within and outside to stay away and pray in their comfort homes or office. Anywhere you pray, God listens and accepts your prayers

“As you can see, our Mosque is locked because today being Friday, people would want to troop in for prayers and that is why I am here in order to sensitize the people on why we need to do this.

“We have enlightened our people on the use of hand sanitizer and maintain cleanliness so that they may not contract this virus. We have bought hand sanitizer to distribute it to our members. We have about eleven Mosques under my command, from Obanliku, Ekori, Ogoja, Ekamkpa, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and we have sent messages there,” he stated.