Kunle Adelabu & Ashimi Tawakalitu Anuoluwa
Muslim faithful on Friday, August 7, 2020, reopened Mosques across Ikorodu Division for Jumat prayers in line with the directive of the Lagos State Government after about 5 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Governor, had on Saturday, August 1, 2020, directed that worship centres should be reopened across the state, months after there closure due to the ravaging virus.
Our reporters observed Jumat prayers in about seven Mosques across Ikorodu Local Government and Igbogbo/Bayeku Local Council Development Area, where a large number of Muslims were in attendance.
Fadhilatul Sheikh Seifudeen Ayinla Ademoritan Olowo-Oribi, the Grand Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division and Chief Imam of Ikorodu Central Mosque, led the congregation at the Ikorodu Central Mosque, Obun – Ale Market, Ikorodu, while His Eminence, Sheikh Yahya Olorunosebi Oshoala Ajagbemokeferi (As – Samadani), the Chief Imam of Oriwu Central Mosque, Ikorodu Division, led the Jumat service at the ultra modern Oriwu Central Mosque, located at the Ikorodu garage roundabout, Ikorodu.
Fadeelatul – Sheikh, Al – Imam Dhikurullahi Abdullahi Andu (Tanimose), the Chief Imam, Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA and Chief Imam, Igbogbo Central Mosque, led the Jumah service in Igbogbo.
All the Mosques visited by our reporters observed stipulated regulations by the government.
The gates of the mosques were locked to control crowd while hand washing equipment and sanitiser were provided for faithful coming in to pray.
Our reporter also witnessed securitymen turning back children and elderly faithful in accordance with the government directive on age – limit of those that should be allowed to be part of relaxation of religious gathering in the state.
At the Oriwu Central Mosque, thermometers were also used to measure the temperature of those that came for the prayer before being allowed into the Mosque.
Fadeelatul – Sheikh Al – Imam Adu, Chief Imam, Igbogbo, who arrived at the Igbogbo Central Mosque at 1.33pm, speaking to THE IMPACT, said government’s action in closing religious centres was in order and added that they were adhering with the directives of the government in reopening the mosque for prayer.
“Those in government are the representatives of God on earth and we have to follow their directives. More so, it is for our well-being and safety.
“We are here today to observe Jumat which is the first after Ileya based on the directive from the government”.
Sheikh Andu said that necessary information regarding the reopening has been passed across to all the Mosques in Ikorodu division and they are ensuring strict compliance.
“Based on these directives, all the mosques under my jurisdiction are in total compliance with the government directives.
“In actual fact, the Chief Imam of Ikorodu Division, Imam Olowo – Oribi, called for a meeting on Thursday (yesterday) where he briefed us about the outcome of the meeting that they held at the state level and we are following all the laid down directives.
“We are following government’s regulations while also fearing the laws of Allah.
“We pray that this Jumat will give us favour from Allah and He also understands why we were unable to observe Jumat in the past months. May He forgives us”.
The Muslim leader also commended the Governor of the State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, for the management of COVID – 19 and the state.
Also speaking with THE IMPACT after the Jumat prayer at the Ikorodu Central Mosque, Fadhilatul Sheikh Olowo – Oribi said that the closure of religious places is a judgment of God and called on Muslim to adhere with the government directives.
“We thank God for today’s Jumat and we have accepted His judgment for our inability to observe Jumat and other religious activities in the past months. As Muslims, we must follow whatever Allah, our government and leaders say in all situations”, he said.
“Coronavirus is a global pandemic and the only way that we can overcome it is to stay safe and observe healthy living as we are taught by Islam.
“We must ensure that we are safe first before running after religion. It is only when we are healthy and alive that we can worship.
“In our Mosque, we are following all the directives stipulated by the government and we are also enjoining everybody to always wash their hands, use sanitiser and maintain social distancing amongst others” .
He advised that the government should provide religious places and markets with necessary facilities to fight the pandemic and prevent its spread.
“Government should continue managing the pandemic. They should not stop their intervention. They should endeavour to provide worship places with necessary equipment and facilities for use as directed”, Imam Olowo – Oribi said.
“It is also important that such facilities should be made available at market places to ensure that Coronavirus is not spread among the people in the community.
“There is a need for fumigation of religious places and markets and for further sensitization of our people on how to prevent the spread”, he advised.
“And to our people, they too should heed necessary directives by the government so as to assist them in tackling the pandemic effectively”.
Our reporter also reported that Jumat prayer was hurriedly held at Poromosan Community Central Mosque. The prayer was led by Alhaji Sulaimon Aliyu Afolayan, the Chief Imam of the Mosque.
Like other Central Mosques covered by our reporters, the mosque also observed the Jumat in adherence to the safety measures stipulated by the state and local government.
The Chief Imam said that they are grateful to God for the reopening of the mosque after months of closure.
“It’s been four (4) months now since our last jumat prayer and as a result of that, we’re grateful to Almighty Allah and the government for allowing our gathering. Although, we spent just 20 minutes to observe the prayer in order to control the crowd”, he said.
“We ensured that our people use their face masks and observe social distancing policy”.
However, Tadhamunul Muslimeen (OTM) Ikorodu Secretariat, was yet to open for worship services as at the time our reporter visited the mosque.
Some of their members told our reporter that jumat prayer will start proper in the mosque by next Friday when necessary requirements by the government would have been put in place.
A large number of Muslims also besieged the Mogaji Central mosque located opposite the Oriwu College Second gate in Ikorodu for the Jumah service.
