RAMADAN : MUSLIMS COMMENCE FASTING AMIDST COVID-19 . . . SULTAN CALLS FOR PRAYERS.

By ANENE AIKE, Sokoto.

Muslims worldwide are to commence this year's holy month of Ramadan with effect from today, Friday.

 In accordance with the dictate of the religion and " based on the sighting of the new month's moon, it has been decided that today Friday is the commencement of the month of Ramadan".

According to reports monitored by SPARKNEWSNAIJA, Saudi Arabia announced that "the holy fasting month of Ramadan will start Friday, even as Muslims worldwide face unprecedented restrictions occasioned by covid-19".

Agency report quoted King Salman as expressing sadness that Muslims could not pray at Mosques because of coronavirus and it's attendant restrictions.

King Salman said “I am pained that the holy month arrives amid circumstances that make us unable to perform group prayers and Taraweeh — special Ramadan night prayers — at mosques due to precautionary measures to protect the peoples’ lives and health in combating the coronavirus pandemic."

In Nigeria, the Sultan of Sokoto, ALHAJI (Dr. ) Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar has called on all practicing Muslims  to obey all the laws put in place by government in other to check the spread of COVID- 19  Pandemic

The Sultan who also enjoined Muslims and Nigerians  to leave peacefully with one another irrespective of tribe, religion or political affiliations, especially during this period of Ramadan and always.

Sultan Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, who in his 3 minutes broadcast declared Friday 24th April, 2020 as the 1st day of the month of fasting for Muslims  prayed Allah for strength to do the fasting.

He also prayed for the leaders to lead all aright even as he urged all to provide edible items for the people especially the "well-to-do" individuals and organisations  to cushion  the  effects of Corona Virus  on the people.

Practicing Muslims are expected to refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during Ramadan and gather with family to break the fast in the evening.

It is also a month of prayers during which Muslims traditionally converge in large numbers at mosques especially at night.

But due to the coronavirus, almost all Muslim majority countries have closed mosques and asked people to pray at home in addition to imposing curfews to limit the spread of the deadly virus.
#SPARKNEWSNAIJA.(SNN).