Remain compliant with medical advice, government orders against spread of Covid-19, Muslim Media Watch tells fasting faithful

…greets Emir of Ilorin at 80

The Muslim Media Watch has called on members of Islamic faith as Ramadan begins to remain compliant with health guidelines, medical advice and government regulatory orders in order to avoid the spread of coronavirus during the fasting period of holy month of Ramadan.

The group made call in a Ramadan message issued and signed by its National Coordinator, Abdullahi Ibrahim, copy if which was sent to The DEFENDER on Friday.

It said the development should not be strange to devout muslims especially those who are used to reading and listening to reading of the Holy Qur’an and it quoted Qur’an references to assure them that all is well no matter the level of restrictions.

“The Qur’an quoted Almighty God to have said in Chapter 2 verses 155 to 156 thus: ‘ And certainly, we shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad-tidings to the patients – who when afflicted with calamity would say: Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him and shall return!”

The statement read: “Today 1st day of Ramadan, 1441 / 24th April, 2020 – the Muslims the world-over begins a month-long Ramadan Fast in accordance with islamic injunctions.

“This year’s Ramadan period has fallen into a period of Global Health Emergency known as coronavirus popularly called COVID-19. This undoubtedly has altered the usual process of devotion and worship hitherto known as it has done in our regular spiritual, domestic and official activities.

“The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria therefore call on all muslims all over the Country to remain compliant with health guidelines and medical advice as well as Governments’ regulatory orders evolved in-order to check the spread of the pandemic to reduce infection and mortality as a result of the Health Emergency.

“This development should not be strange to devout muslims especially those who are used to reading and listening to reading of the Holy Qur’an. The holy book – The Qur’an quoted Almighty God to have said in Chapter 2 verses 155 to 156 thus: ‘ And certainly, we shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad-tidings to the patients – who when afflicted with calamity would say: Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him and shall return!

“The import of this message and revelation from God is that the current devastation and agonising coronavirus pandemic is NOT UNKNOWN to our Creator, Allah – and as a matter of fact it came from Him as destined by Him. Therefore, we must keep to all dictates given by Health Experts so as to be saved from the infection; as any action against the guidelines dictated by these Experts and endorsed by the Government and Muslim Leaders would be unislamic. The islamic guidelines have always been to protect you and others in-order for to live in peace and sound health.

“While commending the Sarkin Muslumi & President-General Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs Sultan Muhammad Abubakar on his roles so far, MMWG urge the Muslim Ummah all over the Country to use this particular holy month to supplicate to God fervently for early removal of the coronavirus pandemic from the globe.

“To us muslims, we have never doubted what is contained in the Holy Qur’an as it is from Allah. Several people that have read the two verses quoted above believed that it would happen because novel diseases and pandemic of these nature had happened before even though it might not have happened with us on this planet. The advent of COVID-19 pandemic made Historians to go into history and discovered that several diseases have ravaged some parts of the world several decades past.

“We therefore call the attention of Nigerians and indeed the people of the world at large to the fact that the pandemic is an evidence of God’s existence as His prediction has come to pass and whoever doubted His existence must have been in absolute error.

“May Allah accept our prayers and make this holy month an instrument to expel coronavirus pandemic from the world at large.”

…greets Emir of Ilorin at 80

On Emir of Ilorin’s birthday, the group said: “As the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman Kwara State Council of Emirs, Obas Chiefs – Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari celebrates his 80th Birthday, we commend him for his leadership role in the Nigerian Society which has been full of dedication, commitment and devotion to the cause of Islam and humanity.

“The Emir has by his 25 years on the throne of his forefathers redefined leadership by being responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of his subjects. His recent directives on the collection of funds and food items for distribution to the masses as Ilorin Emirate Palliative to reduce the negative effects of lock-down on the people, underlined his role as a caring Leader.

“His reign has commendably witnessed alot of progress and development in the areas of islamic devotion, educational development, cultural revival and sensitization of the people on their responsibilities to fellow human beings.

“As the Nation rejoice with the Emir of Ilorin on this occassion, we pray to Almighty Allah to continue to guide and protect him for more services to the people.”