EIDL—KABIR: Muslims celebrate festival in style despite not praying in Eid grounds.

By Yusuf Oyetunji Adua, Oyo

The outbreak of COVID_19 brings forth a lot of changes to our normal lives. The Eid_l_Adah known to be a Muslim festival that commands a multitude of joyous worshipers took a new dimension this year in a bid to curb the spread of the ravaging coronavirus.

The Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) had earlier advised Nigerian Muslims not to throw caution to the wind and continue to adhere to the restrictions put in place by the federal ministry of health and the NCDC.

However, state governments ordered Muslims to observe the two_rakat nafilah in various jumat grounds in their neighborhood to the delight of Imams who spoke to our correspondents.

According to one of the Imams, “that we are allowed to have the prayer is an indication that our government is considerate and humane. And unlike the small Eid which we did in our various homes, we ensured that all followers adhered strictly to social distancing rules and COVID_19 guidelines”

Mrs. Kafilat Abiodun, a resident of Ladigbolu community in Oyo town, however, said ” even though I haven’t been able to identify any COVID_19 patient, I will do the best I can to protect myself and my household. Any visitor that’s to come in into my house must be with their face masks”. The mother added that she will caution her wards to avoid seamless movements that accompany the Ileya festival this year and will get to her distant relatives through video calls.

Although, it is observed that some ATM gallerias remained porous and crowded as ever before and the government should do more in sensitizing ram sellers in various markets as it looked as if they never ever knew that there is anything called COVID_19.