Kennymykel

Muslims in Kano,  Katsina, Borno,  Zamfara and Bauchi states on Sunday shunned a directive of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji  Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, which stated that there should be no large gatherings at Eid prayers. Our correspondents, who monitored prayer grounds in the states, observed that there were massive gatherings with the majority of the faithful not observing the PTF’s protocols such as social distancing and wearing of face masks. Recall that states, including Kano, Katsina, Borno and Yobe,  last week relaxed the Federal Government’s lockdown and allowed religious organisations to hold their congregational activities. They gave  Muslims the go-ahead to hold prayers at Eid at grounds to mark the end of 30 days fasting. But the  Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,  led by the Sultan,  on Wednesday contradicted the state governments. In a statement by its Deputy Secretary General, Prof Salisu Shehu,  the NSCIA said mass