(Minna)
Muslim faithful in Minna, Niger state capital defied the heavy rainfall to offer the two congregational Eid-el-fitr (rakat/ prayers at the Minna Central mosque just as the downpour also forced them to ignore the social distancing ordered by the government.
The Muslims in joining their counterpart world over started trouping out in their hundreds for the 2020 Eid-el-fitr, heading toward the Central Mosque as early as about 8 30 a.m, looking radiant in their new attire and face masks for the day’s prayer.
Duaglobalnews correspondent reports that the two rakaat prayers hardly start when the bright sky suddenly changed and the rains which almost disrupted their prayers came down heavily.
This natural phenomenon forced many of the worshippers outside the mosque to struggle for space inside the mosque, jettisoning the initially observed social distancing order.
Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Isa Fari, has advised Muslims to put into practice what they learnt during the 30- day Ramadan fast which include, Charity, love, humility and sacrifice for maximum results.
Fari, in his sermon shortly the two rakaat prayers, also stressed the need for adherents of the Islamic faith to always heed expert advice to mitigate the spread of the disease and as well to stay alive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the prayers, the Special Adviser to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Political matters, Alhaji Nma Kolo said the state government would continue to be proactive in checking the spread of Corona Virus in parts of Niger state.
Though the number of index cases remained significantly at 26, as at Sunday, Nma Kolo reminded the people of the state the need to adhere to expert advice on social distancing, hand washing and use of face masks at all times.
To avoid increase in the number of affected persons in the state, Kolo said the state government had banned the traditional Horse riding, traveling and gathering associated with eid-el-fitr, adding that defaulters would not be spared.
Our correspondent reports that, though low keyed due to fears of Corona Virus, the Eid-el-fitr prayers and celebration were generally peacefully with strict adherence to the safety measures ordered by the state government.
