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Tag: Ramadan

  • Ramadan: WHO raises alarm of possible surge in COVID-19

    Ramadan: WHO raises alarm of possible surge in COVID-19

    Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month would begin on Tuesday in many Arab countries, as the holy month comes amid restrictions for the second year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt and Tunisia announced on Sunday night that the new moon was not spotted and therefore, Monday marks the last day of the Islamic month of Shaaban.

    However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had warned of a possible surge in coronavirus infections during the month of Ramadan.

    The beginning and end of Islamic months are determined by the sighting of the new moon.

    Other countries are expected to confirm the start of Ramadan later on Monday.

    During Ramadan, observant Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to sunset.

    Muslims usually celebrate by large social and religious gatherings, such as special evening prayers, where mosques are traditionally packed.

    However, many restrictions due to the coronavirus would limit some practices for the second year.

    Charity banquets had been banned in several countries.

    Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates would allow Ramadan’s evening prayers “taraweeh’’, but limited them to half an hour.

    In Jordan and Tunisia, worshippers would not perform taraweeh at mosques due to a night-time curfew.

    A similar curfew has been imposed in Iraq for weeks and is expected to be renewed, especially after the country’s daily infection rate surged, almost hitting 8,000 on Friday.

    While the state closed Sunni mosques since 2020, Shiite mosques have been open in the country.

    In Singapore where about 15 per cent of the 5.7 million inhabitants are Muslim, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong wished Muslims “a peaceful and happy Ramadan.’’

    With the coronavirus pandemic appearing largely under control in the city-state, most worshippers would be permitted to perform congregational prayers in mosques, though migrant workers would be restricted to praying in their residences.

    Singapore hosts more than one million foreign workers, including tens of thousands from Muslim-majority neighbours such as Bangladesh and Indonesia.

    Most of Singapore’s roughly 60,000 confirmed coronavirus cases were reported among mostly young and low-wage migrants crammed into purpose-built dormitories.

  • Ramadan: Emir appeals to traders against price hike

    Ramadan: Emir appeals to traders against price hike

    The Emir of Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, Malam Zubairu Maigwari, has urged traders not to hike the cost of their commodities as the Ramadan fasting approaches.

    Maigwari made the call in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Kaduna.

    “Marketers should reason with the common man and reduce the cost of their goods, especially food items, to enable people to afford the costs.

    “As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, traders should feel the pains of the common man, cut down costs of food items so that they will receive Allah’s blessings in their businesses,’’ the royal father said.

    He noted that religious preachers were worried about the increased cost of food items “whenever Ramadan is approaching.

    “Hence call for the need for preaching against the act’’.

    Maigwari also appealed to both Kaduna State and the Federal Government, market unions and regulatory bodies to monitor and moderate market prices to prevent an outrageous hike in the cost of food.

    “Artificial inflation is making life extremely hard for Nigerians,’’ Maigwari said.

    “Traders should think of meeting God and the consequences of tripling prices of commodities.

    “Allah is watching you in whatever you do, always have the fear of Him in whatever you do.’’

    He called on Muslim clerics to preach peaceful co-existence among people and avoid utterance capable of incitement.

    “I am also calling on leaders of various religious groups to be just in all their doings, failure to do that calls for the survival of the fittest which at the long run inflicts heavily on the development of the country at large,’’ Maigwari said.

  • Sultan directs Muslim Ummah on when to look out for crescent of Ramadan

    Sultan directs Muslim Ummah on when to look out for crescent of Ramadan

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has directed the Muslim Ummah to look out for the crescent (moon) of Ramadan 1442AH from Monday.

    Abubakar gave the directive on Sunday in a statement issued by Prof. Sambo Junaidu, Chairman, Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Sultanate Council, Sokoto.

    “This is to inform the Muslim Ummah that Monday, April 12, which is equivalent to the 29th day of Sha’aban 1442AH shall be the day to look for the new moon of Ramadan 1442AH.

    “Muslim are, therefore, requested to start looking for the crescent moon on Monday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to the Sultan,’’ the statement read.

    The Sultan prayed Allah to assist Muslims in the discharge of their religious duty.

    Junaidu gave telephone numbers that could be used directly to report the sighting of the new moon to the committee.

    The numbers are 08037157100, 07067416900, 08066303077, 08036149757, 08035965322 and 08035945903.

    Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month for fasting, prayer, reflection and assisting the needy.

  • Eld-el-Fitri: Sustain Good Values Imbibed During Ramadan, Saraki Urges Muslims

    Eld-el-Fitri: Sustain Good Values Imbibed During Ramadan, Saraki Urges Muslims

    Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has congratulated Nigerian Muslims on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan fasting and urged them to sustain the good values they imbibed during the holy month.

    Saraki noted that the holy month taught the faithful piety, self denial, good neighbourliness , discipline, empathy with and making provision for the less privileged in the society. He added that all those values if sustained and permanently imbibed by Muslims will help to build a great country for the benefit of all.

    He urged the people to continue to pray for Nigeria, in particular, and the entire world in view of the challenges posed by the raging Covid-19 epidemic and its impending socio-economic implications.

    “This last Ramadan was very unique in that we observed it without all the normal gathering for Iftar, tarawih prayers, listening to tafsir and going for lesser hajj. Also, as advised by both health and religious authorities, there would be no gathering for Eid prayers. We all must therefore co-operate and work together to eliminate this pandemic and restore good health to our society.

    “I enjoin all Nigerians to use this period of the Eid-el-Fitri to rededicate ourselves to our country, pray for good health and a stronger economy that can withstand the post-Covid:19 socio-economic challenges. We should comply with all safety rules and health advisories being issued by relevant authorities”, he stated.

    The former Senate President also called for prayers for all health workers who are on the frontline of fighting the Corona Virus as well as soldiers and other security agents who are fighting to restore peace in the North-East and other troubled areas of the country.
    “These Nigerians on the frontline of fighting to restore peace and good health to our country deserve our prayer. May the safety of Almighty Allah be on them and may their efforts be rewarded with victory on all fronts.

    “Once again, Eid Mubarak to all Muslims”, he statedd

  • NIFROP extends 21-day fasting and prayers programme to end of Ramadan

    NIFROP extends 21-day fasting and prayers programme to end of Ramadan

    The National Inter-Faith and Religious Organizations for Peace (NIFROP) has announced an extension to its 21-day fasting and prayer till the end of Ramadan.

    According to NIFROP, this is in light of the prevailing circumstances in the country and a show of solidarity to its members as well as other Muslims around the country.

    The group made this known in a statement signed by Chairman, Board of Trustees, Archbishop Julius Ediwe, on Tuesday.

    NIFROP, however, encouraged all members to be steadfast in the prayer for Nigeria against the further spread of COVID-19, as well as an end to the nefarious activities of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist group.

    It further declared that the end of terrorism is imminent as “God has revealed to us during our fasting and prayers that indeed Abubakar Shekau would be captured and Nigeria shall be free from the clutches of the Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorist activities”.

  • RAMADAN: SENATOR ALIMIKHENA SEEKS PRAYERS TO END COVID- 19 PANDEMIC

    RAMADAN: SENATOR ALIMIKHENA SEEKS PRAYERS TO END COVID- 19 PANDEMIC

    As Muslims in Nigeria join the rest of the world to commence the month long Ramadan religious obligation even under a Coronaviris, COVID-19 pandemic, the Chairman of Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Senator Francis Asekhame Alimikhena, All Progressives Congress, APC, Edo North has called all faithful to pray to Allah for urgent resolution of the global infectious disease.

    Alimikhena,
    while congratulating Muslims for witnessing another season of Ramadan, has urged them to pray for wisdom for all leaders to manage that which will not be palatable after the pandemic.

    In a message to the Muslim faithful, Senator Alimikhena said all adherents of the Islamic faith should use the month long fasting period to reflect on their lives and the true practice of the religion that preaches peace, good neighbourliness, brotherly love and non-violence.

    Alimikhena said, “We must continually pray for our dear country, Nigeria to continue to be on the path of peace and progress. The fasting period presents yet another opportunity for communal supplication to Almighty Allah for solution to the unprecedented global pandemic and for wisdom for all leaders to do the right things in the sight of God and man.”

    The Senator described Ramadan as the Glory of all Months in the Islamic calendar and one of the five pillars of Islam that must be strictly adhered to in line with the injunction of Allah.

    Senator Alimikhena urged Muslims to use this period to pray for peace in the World and an ample opportunity to draw closer to Allah and deepen relationship with him in submission to his will.

    He particularly commended the Muslims in Edo North for their commitment, prayers and peace. He prayed that the Holy Month would bring good health and peace to the World through their prayers.

    Happy Ramadan Senator Alimikhena added.

  • Ramadan: Atiku greets Muslims, urges adjustments to new reality posed by Coronavirus pandemic

    Ramadan: Atiku greets Muslims, urges adjustments to new reality posed by Coronavirus pandemic

    Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has told Nigerian Muslims to adjust to the new reality posed by the deadly Coronavirus as they begin the Ramadan period today.

    Atiku, in his Ramadan message this had not been the best of times for the people and as a nation and for the global community.

    “The novel coronavirus, which originated from Wuhan in China has spread to no less than 210 countries and territories as at today.

    “Sadly Nigeria has not been spared this scourge. Since our first incident case in February, we have seen the figure rise to 981 with 31 deaths as at April 23, 2020. The good news however is that thanks to our heroic healthcare workers, 197 of the cases have recovered.

    “But we’ve had to make sacrifices, and much more is required of us in the days ahead if we must defeat the scourge of this plague. Our social life has been disrupted by lockdown of sections of our country and practice of social distancing.

    “In the last three weeks, we have been unable to gather to fulfil our religious obligations to worship the Almighty Allah. The lesser hajj has been suspended. My dear Muslim Ummah, this is the reality as we commence this year’s Ramadan,” he said.

    Atiku urged the Muslim faithful to pray for the country at this difficult moment when the #COVID19 plague had paralysed every aspect of social lives.

    “And as you commence the fasting period, one of the mandatory sacrifices required of us, bear in mind this year’s Ramadan comes at an extraordinarily tough moment for the Muslim Ummah because of the severe restrictions the coronavirus has imposed on us.

    “This is a moment of trial because for the first time in our recent history, we have never seen anything like this in terms of limitations on the activities we once performed without hindrance.

    “Unlike previous years, the 2020 fasting features, such as Iftar meal that Muslims share together everyday and every evening after breaking their fast would be affected because of the lockdown and social distancing policy brought about by the coronavirus outbreak.

    “Other activities that may be affected include the Tafsir or the gathering of Muslims to listen to Qur’anic recitation and interpretation by scholars.

    “Against this background, I urge Muslims to be steadfast and adjust to the new reality imposed by the coronavirus disease. These challenges are a test of our faith and resilience in the face of tough times,” he added.

    He said notwithstanding, it was pertinent upon Muslims to continue to be the good ambassadors of Islam by promoting peace, unity, tolerance, harmony and peaceful coexistence at all times and that above all, it was imperative that they observe all guidelines of the NCDC aimed at stemming the spread of the virus, much so as it is the teaching of the Noble Prophet Mohammed (SWT) during plague seasons such as this.

    “I supplicate to Allah to answer our prayers and help us overcome this extraordinary challenge soonest, and put our country on the path of renewal and prosperity,” he said.

  • Sultan declares sighting of moon, says Ramadan begins Friday

    Following the sighting of the moon, this year’s Ramadan starts Friday, the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar, announced Thursday.

    The president of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) said this in an announcement made on an NTA live broadcast.

    In compliance with physical distancing by health authorities as means to check the spread of COVID-19, the NSCIA had urged Muslims to shun congregational gatherings by staying at home.

    The council also directed mosques to suspend taraweeh sessions (a daily voluntary prayer during the month), tafseer (lectures), Qur’anic fora and i’tifaaf (seclusion in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan).

    The council’s director of administration, Yusuf Nwoha, who announced this earlier in the day, urged religious leaders to use electronic media to reach their followers.

    The group had issued a guideline for the burial of infected Muslims during the pandemic, saying the burial should be handled by officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

    Ramadan is the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar seen as sacred by Muslims for which they refrain from eating, drinking and sexual activities from dawn to dusk for 29 or 30 days — depending on when a new crescent is slighted.

    The sighting of this new moon marks the beginning of another month, Shawwal, and the celebration of Islamic festival, Eid-l-fitr.

  • RAMADAN: Buhari warns Muslims to avoid congregational prayers amid Covid-19 fears

    RAMADAN: Buhari warns Muslims to avoid congregational prayers amid Covid-19 fears

    Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has warned Muslims in the country to shun all forms of congregational prayers and group meals as Ramadan begins on Friday in a bid to avert spreading the deadly Coronavirus.

    Buhari, in a statement on Thursday, also wished Muslims well as they begin this year’s 30-day fast, following the sighting of the moon.

    “I congratulate all Muslims as they commence this year’s Ramadan fast which is depicted by self-denial, universal brotherhood, austerity and helping relatives and needy people,” said the President.

    Buhari described Ramadan 2020 as a challenge, falling as it is in the period of the global pandemic, which has spread to more than 200 nations, with virtually all countries advising citizens to avoid large gatherings and have their prayers and meals (suhoor and iftar) individually or with family at home.

    “In this Ramadan period, the kind of socializing you are used to now risks spreading the Coronavirus,” the President cautions Muslims, while enjoining them to refrain from those Ramadan rituals and traditions such as group meals and congregational prayers that have been put on hold by Muslim religious authorities all over the world.

    Buhari urged Muslims to endure and not to use the Coronavirus as an excuse not to participate in the Ramadan fast, unless such abstention is warranted by the excuses clearly outlined by health and religious authorities.

    He wished Muslims in the country and the world over all the blessings of the holy month.

  • COVID-19: No Ramadan lectures, congregational prayers this year, Sultan tells Muslims

    The Jama’tul Nasril Islam (JNI) has said that there would not be the annual Tafsir or congregational prayers in mosques during this year’s Ramadan due to coronavirus pandemic.

    The Secretary-General, JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.

    Aliyu advised Islamic faithful to pray with their families at home and stay safe.

    “This is a Ramadan with a difference as most people will be under lockdown,’’ he said.

    The JNI scribe said that in spite of the challenges arising from physical and social distancing, Tafsir and other religious teachings would be held using various information technology (IT) platforms.

    He mentioned such platforms as Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Zoom, etc., to live stream preaching sessions.

    “Reliable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals will be consulted for proper guidance,” he said.

    According to him, JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Mohammad Abubakar, felicitates in advance with the Muslim Ummah on the forthcoming month of Ramadan.

    “Unequivocally, Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, the month of supplication and Allah’s remembrance, the month of Zakah and giving the poor dues and charity and the month of standing in the night for prayers

    “Hence, they (the poor) will certainly be in dire need of assistance, because of the economic realities and the attendant suffocating inflationary trends.

    “Our spirit of generosity should be fully activated in higher proportion so as to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor in our midst by providing them with food and other necessities.

    “In this regard, the JNI calls upon those who have since planned for this year’s lesser pilgrimage to channel those resources to charity as the Umrah cannot be possible in the current global pandemic reality.

    “Expectedly, as role models, we should be seen to be doing exactly like Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), bearing in mind that the month of Ramadan is fast approaching,’’ the JNI Secretary-General said.

    Aliyu called on governments at all levels to assist in making life bearable for the downtrodden.

    “Due to the overwhelming eruption of the novel COVID-19 pandemic the Ummah’s enthusiasm needs to be reinvigorated as against what obtains of palpable fear over the pandemic outbreak.

    “Nevertheless, JNI wishes to re-awaken the collective resolution of the Muslims to fully prepare so as to reap the benefits therein in the blessed month,” he said

    According to him, one of the significant aspects of this period is the issue of moon-sighting that has over the years recorded significant improvement and should be sustained.

    “Therefore, Muslims are called upon to watch out for the crescent and communicate same to the nearest Muslim authority close by – if sighted, for onward transmission to His Eminence for final announcement after the necessary confirmation.

    “Muslims should resolve and make proper plan to intensify efforts in the Tilawah (recitation) of the glorious Qur’an, especially as we observe the stay at home policy,’’ he said.

    The JNI also commended philanthropists, captains of industry, and corporate bodies who donated money and relief items to support the federal and some state governments at this critical economic period.

    Aliyu said that gesture remained very indelible to the JNI “and we pray that they be compensated accordingly by Allah.’’

    He urged Muslims to fervently pray for an end to the myriad challenges bedeviling the world and Nigeria in particular, and to also seek Allah’s interventions for better well-being and prosperity.

    “We also pray for our leaders to be well-guided and foresighted, they should equally fear Allah and remember that they will one day account for their respective stewardship.

    “As such, they should as a matter of patriotism ensure that they promote equal distribution of resources and maintain peace in all their respective utterances and actions,’’ he said.

    JNI, Aliyu said, was using the occasion to appeal to adherents to collectively condemn abuses of extremists in thoughts and actions on any matter, as warned by the Prophet (PBUH),” he said

    JNI remains resolute to support, as well as partner relevant agencies, government and other stakeholders in mitigating the adverse effects of the novel COVID-19 in Nigeria.

    “We appeal to state governments to synergise and complement each other properly in addressing the spread of the pandemic in Nigeria,’’ the scribe said.