Muslims around the world look forward to Sallah celebration every year because it is a time families troop to the Eid ground to offer prayer to Allah, share food to friends and neighbours, while children engage in ‘Yawon Sallah’, that is visiting friends and relations.
Unfortunately, this year’s Sallah is going to be different, as the whole world is under a coronavirus imposed lockdown which has prevented Muslims and Christians from worshiping respectively in mosques and churches.
Arewa Trust Weekly reports that many families in Kaduna metropolis have succumbed to the fact that they will observe this year’s Eid prayers at home because of the prevailing situation.
Ten-year-old Hadiza Aminu said she was very sad that she would not be going for Eid prayers this year, adding that “In the last four years, I have performed the prayers with my family and it is one of the most exciting experience for me at Sallah.”
For Usman Shehu, what he will miss this Sallah is the visitation to people’s houses where they are given gifts in the name of ‘Goron Sallah’.
“Last Sallah, I used the ‘Goron Sallah’ I got to start a small candy business, where I sold all types of sweets and chewing gum. Unfortunately, my friends will come and pick some without paying and that is how the business died”.
He said he was hopeful he would be able to raise money to start another business this Sallah but, unfortunately, it will be spent indoors because of the coronavirus.
However, Malam Mohammed Haruna said he has been learning how to lead his family in the Eid prayer at home. “I have already counselled my wife and children on how to go about it and we plan to remain indoors for the period so that we can stay safe.”
Chief Imam, Unguwan Rimi Central Mosque, Shaykh Musa Tanimu, called on Muslims to perform their Eid prayers at home with their families and not insist on going to the Eid ground under the lockdown.
He called on Muslims to change their way of worship in line with the present situation, saying the problem is not only in Nigeria, but in the whole world.
“Heads of households can lead their families to say the Eid prayer at home, and even a woman who is alone at home can say the prayer but the only difference is that there will be no sermon after the prayer like it is done on the Eid ground.”
He urged Muslims to restrict their movements, especially that of their children, during the celebration, and use other means of communication like the text messages, WhatsApp and other platforms to speak to loved ones rather than going to see them physically.
[covid-data]
