Coronavirus: “Nigerian Muslims Will Be Barred From Hajj” – Sanusi Warns Clerics Holding Prayers

Dethroned emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has issued a warning to Muslim clerics still organising religious gatherings and prayers despite the ban imposed by the Federal Government.

According to Sanusi in a statement, the disobedience of Muslim clerics to the instructions from the government could cause more harm to Nigerians in future.

He said their actions can hinder Nigerian Muslims from performing Hajj or Umrah.

The former CBN governor warned that lackadaisical attitude towards COVID-19 will only worsen things as the virus is real and can only be stopped when all precautionary measures by medical authorities are duly observed.

Sanusi wrote;

My father would like us to remember that this disease is normally a very mild one about 80 percent do not need to go to hospitals and recover at home by adhering to instructions.

Social distancing and compliance with the health authorities is the only way to ensure it does not continue spreading in our country.

He added that;

We should not assume that this virus left unchecked cannot mutate into something even more dangerous and deadly. We must comply with the suspension of religious gatherings including congregational prayers.

Sanusi further explained that;

Muslim scholars who continue to defy this guideline may wish to consider the implications of Nigeria being the country that has not put an end to this pandemic. 

He stated at the minimum, Nigerian Muslims will be barred from Hajj and Umrah for fear of restarting a global epidemic.