FCT Minister Cancels National Eid-il-Fitr Public Praying

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello has disclosed that Eid prayers will not be held at the National Eid prayer ground in Abuja.

The FCT Minister via a press statement said the decision was in compliance with the COVID-19 renewed restrictions.

He enjoined all worshippers to join the Eid prayers in their neighborhood and reiterated that indoor worship will only be limited to less than 50 persons.

The minister advised that all COVID-19 guidelines should be adhered to over the third and fourth phases of the pandemic.

READ ALSO: FG Okays Second Dose Of AstraZeneca Vaccine For Eligible Nigerians

“There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road),” the statement read in part.

“All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques.

“Indoor worship is to be limited to less than 50% of installed capacity.

“Religious authorities are advised to regulate the flow of people entering and exiting places of worship.

“All non-pharmaceutical intervention protocols of facial coverings, physical distancing, and hand washing are to be observed

“All other Eid celebrations and activities should be confined to homes as all public parks, recreation and entertainment centers are to be closed.”

Recall that at the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 briefing on Monday, the National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed announced a nationwide curfew to curb the spread of the virus after a spike in COVID-19 cases recorded in Brazil, India, and Turkey.

Mohammed said effective Tuesday, May 11, event centers and non-essential public places such as nightclubs would remain closed till further notice.

He said that gatherings of religious groups and weddings have been reduced to 50 per cent attendance, while official engagements, meetings, and conferences should continue to hold virtually.

He said the government had also reintroduced curfew from midnight of Monday to 4 a.m.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kidnap 12 Muslims During Midnight Prayers In Katsina

The committee directed security personnel to enforce the measures while state governments are to set up a mobile tribunal for the prosecution of violators.

Mohammed said, “the National Response continues to focus on achieving a balance between preserving lives while working on long-term epidemic control. Effective from 00:01 hours on Tuesday, phase four of restriction of movement shall come into effect.

“We shall maintain restrictions on mass gatherings of sidewalk settings, with a maximum of about 50 people in an enclosed space,”.