Muslim’s Holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast, pray, and reflect began this year in the evening of Thursday, 23 April, and ends on the evening of Saturday, 23 May. This was announced by the Sultan of Sokoto who is also known as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
Seyi Makinde the Governor of Oyo State shared his sadness has Muslims in Oyo State and all over the country won’t be able to observe the holy month in the usual way before the outbreak of the pandemic disease. He, however, admonish Muslims during this Ramadan period to ask Almighty Allah for mercy on the land, to put an end to COVID-19 that had disrupted business, day-to-day activities, and even more claimed lives.
Usually, Muslims during this period gather at the mosque for Tafsir, Iftar, and Tarawih prayers. However, the outbreak of the pandemic disease has put a ban on every form of religious gathering in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. He, however, admonished Muslims to see this as part of the sacrifices that needed to be made during this critical period.
The governor enjoined Muslims to extend hands of fellowship to other Muslims and non-Muslims during this period, to fill their minds with messages of love and brotherliness and peaceful co-existence as preached by the prophet. Going further in his address to the Muslims, the governor quoted ‘O ye who believe, give of the good things which ye have,” said this act would help the underprivileged in the society and reduce hunger and poverty confronting the people’. Qur’an 2 v 267
