As the world continues to panic over the widespread of the deadly Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, the University of Ibadan Muslim Community on Thursday, said it has suspended the weekly Friday Jummat service till further notice.
Chief Imam of the University, Professor AbdulRahman Oloyede, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, disclosed that the decision to suspend the Jumu’ah prayers takes effective from tomorrow, Friday, March 20, 2020.
The suspension was done in a bid to stop the spread of deadly virus.
Oloyede in the release he personally signed, noted that the Governing Board and the Executive of the University of Ibadan Muslim Community considered the official disclosure that Ekiti State index of the pandemic was in Ibadan for 14 days before taking the step.
He said, “The Governing Board and Executive Council of University of Ibadan Muslim Community, having considered the recent global occurrences around the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the official revelation that the Ekiti State index case stayed in Ibadan for 14 days, hereby announce the suspension of weekly Jum’ah prayers and any other mosque events that will create a gathering of up to fifty people.
“In effect, Jum’ah prayers starting from tomorrow 20 March, 2020 are suspended until further notice. This announcement helps us in the UIMC to proactively respond to the COVID-19 virus and prevent its spread. Members are encouraged to pray in their homes and observe personal hygiene while they continue their adhkar for Allah to put a halt to this deadly plague”
Oloyede, who regretted the decision, however,x assured the Muslim community that it was taken in the interest of the Muslim Ummah.
While praying for Allah to have mercy the community and humanity in general, Oloyede directed members to constantly recite Chapter 2, verse 255 of the Qur’an.
DAILY POST gathered that hundreds of worshipers from within and outside the University of Ibadan observe Friday Prayers in the university.
Our correspondent recalls that the university had earlier suspended international conference holding in the institution.
