Kunle Adelabu
-Christians ask govt not to lose sight of divine intervention, alternative solution
Religious leaders in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have agreed to heed the directive of the Lagos government for the suspension of Jumat and Sunday services to prevent the spread of the deadly disease, coronavirus, that is currently ravaging the entire world.
The state government gave the directive on Wednesday, March 19,2020, as a part of its efforts to contain the spread of the disease.
THE IMPACT spoke with some religious leaders in the division and they are all agreed with the government’s directive to suspend religious activities and enforce social distance.
The number one Muslim leader in the division, Alhaji Aliu Sefiudeen Ayinla Adeboritan Olowo-Oribi, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, speaking with our reporter, said that they have accepted the government’s directive while calling on everybody to stay at home for the time being.
Alhaji Olowo-Oribi, who spoke briefly with our reporter in an interview at his Adaraloye home in Ikorodu on Friday (yesterday), said that all the Mosques in Ikorodu division have been directed to suspend Jumat service for a month .
“We are in agreement with what the government said. It’s better to prevent the disease than to be looking for cure when it is contacted. That is what the directive is meant to contain”, he stated.
“In actual fact, Islam doctrine approves of stay at home when there is war or strife in any community. Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said that Muslim should not venture out in such time. Our doctrine states that in such situation, those within a community should not go outside it and those outside should not be allowed to come in to prevent the spread”, he stated while citing example from the Holy Qur’an to support the government’s directive.
“If we look at the situation critically, the disease is being spread by those outside the country and the government is doing everything to forestall that. We hope that government will be able to do this effectively.
“During the time of Prophet Mohammed (SAW), there was heavy rainfall that made the ground slippery and caused many untoward developments. When it was time for prayer, the Prophet commanded Muslims to pray at home because coming to Mosque may endanger their lives”.
Sheikh Olowo-Oribi stated that Islam as a religion encourages close association during prayer which government has identified as a way of contacting and spreading the disease.
“This coronavirus is fast spread by close interaction like shaking, hugging and who do you know is carrier? If you look at Islam, it is a religion that encourages close contact during prayers. It allows body touching while Muslims are expected to maintain be shoulder-to-shoulder contact while observing prayers (solats) and with what we are now experiencing, there is need for social distancing.
“We still have many more Jumat to observe and it is our duty to help government in containing this disease. We are in total support of closing of Mosques and Churches for the time being.
“We have suspended all Asalatu (Muslim prayers) and events in general. How much are we going to make that is more important than our lives which will now make us insist on holding Jumat service nd other prayers? We have talked to all our members to suspend all activities and engage in prayers against the menace called Coronavirus”.
Alhaji Olowo-Oribi stated that muslim leaders have encouraged their followers to observe Jumat and other prayers in congregation of not more than 50 at a time for the time being.
“They can gather in 3s or 10s at home to pray but must not exceed 10 in number and they must not cluster in such a way that there will be close contact.
“We are in total support of the government’s directive regarding suspension of Islamic activities. It is meant to safeguard the citizenry. We are leaders because those following us are alive and when they are not anymore, there would be nobody to lead. We cannot be leading the dead “.
The revered Muslim cleric stated that since cure have not been found for Coronavirus, people must maintain action to prevent its spread by staying at home.
“If we even look at it critically, many developed nations with adequate health support and defense are closing public places and staying indoor because they too are still unable to find cure
“The Lagos State Government has told us that they don’t have cure yet except to ensure that the disease is prevented from spreading and we have to support them.
“We have told our followers to stay at home in the next four weeks, though, government requested for two months, but we have pleaded for a month closure to study how events unfold.
“The closure is throughout Lagos State because all the divisional Chief Imams were represented at the meeting. It is a must to close down Mosques for the time being for the disease to be tackled and our safety assured.
“Our prayer is that God should help us tackle coronavirus and never to return again and those that have contacted it to be healed”.
Another Islamic leader, Sheikh Musihudeen Kalejaiye, Founder and National Missioner Aenur Rahma International Society of Nigeria, in a chat with THE IMPACT, stated that Muslim society are already complying with the directive of the government while also stating that such was done during the time of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
“Good afternoon, we’re already complying. It’s for our own good. It was done during the time of the holy Prophet Muhammad (S.AW.). So, it’s nothing new to us”, he stated.
“It’s not a ban but a suspension of which we were consulted and our opinion was sought before the announcement”.
Rt. Revd. Samson O. Osundina, JPIL, the Bishop of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ikorodu Diocese, while accepting government’s directive, also asked government not to lose sight of the divine intervention.
The senior Christian leader told our reporter in a chat on Thursday that divine intervention must not be underestimated in the matter.
“The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. S.C. K. Uche has spoken with the government. However, steps taking by the government are in the right direction but they must not lose sight of the power of God in a situation of this nature.
“God’s act of healing and Divine intervention must not be underestimated if Americans could pray openly.
“Our leaders should know that our withdrawal from public gathering is not the solution. God’s intervention by prayers of the religious people must not be subjected to human mere policy.
“We only need a guide not blind steps that devil will use to overtake us. God is God whatever is the situation. Thanks”, Rt. Rev. S. Olu.Osundina. Diocesan Bishop stated.
The Bishop of The African Church Lagos West Diocese, Rt. Revd. Akin Ajayi, while welcoming the directive, also stated that the Church in Ikorodu will alternate the Sunday service to ensure that congregants are not more than 50 at a time.
“It is a good idea and it’s all about safety of the citizenry. African Church in Ikorodu will comply with the government’s directive by not having more than 50 congregants that gathered to worship at a time”
“The fact is also that prayer is also very useful in tackling the problem. There is nothing that God cannot solve”
“We can have an alternative by having all our congregants gather in the main Church auditorium. We are going to have sessions at the main auditorium, church hall, children’s section and possibly have shift for our churches so as not to go against the government directive and also protect our people in the process”, Bishop Ajayi stated in a phone conversation with THE IMPACT.
