The Chief Imam of Apo Legislator’s Quarters Jumat Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid, has cancelled the special i’tikaaf prayer observed by Muslims faithfuls in his mosque over issues of security.
I’tikaaf is the last 10 days of the Ramadan expected to be observed by Muslim faithfuls.
During the period of i’tikaaf, Muslim faithfuls are expected to be in the Mosque and remain in solemn state offering prayers to Allah.
The Chief Imam while disclosing the cancellation during an interview on Wednesday in Abuja stressed that insecurity across the country was responsible for his decision.
He said, “everyone can testify to the fact that insecurity is becoming higher; bombings have become the order of the day in the North, especially in the North Eastern part of the country.
“We need to join hands with government to do whatever we can possibly do in our capability to tackle it headlong.
“However, it is a very difficult task to tackle because of the faceless nature of the Boko Haram members that have been terrorising Nigeria.’’
He further appealed to other Imams across the nation not to allow the offering of special prayer in their Mosques so as to safeguard the lives of Muslim faithfuls.
According to Khalid, the gathering of people in a Mosque for the sake of special prayer is not ideal looking at the security challenges in the country.
The Imam, who called on the Buhari led Government to create employment for youths as that will eradicate restiveness, noted that “providing employment for the youths will take them off the streets.
“Taking the youths off the streets will go a long in reducing crimes and criminality in the country.’’
He added that the issue of security was a collective venture, and as such should not be left to government alone to handle.
The Chief Imam urged security agencies to redouble their intelligence effort as that will enable them to overcome the insurgency ravaging the country.
“Security agents should be able to know the flash points in the areas affected by insurgency and how to overpower them.
“Knowing the flashpoints will go a long way in making security agency’s task easier and more effective,’’ he said. .
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