No Friday Prayers, Central Mosque under lock and Key – Chief Imam’s Spokesperson

The Central Mosque in Accra where Ghana’s Chief Imam leads congregational prayers on Fridays has been locked up and not available to the Muslim community over the deadly Coronavirus.

As part of Ghana government’s efforts to avoid a spread of the virus in the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a televised national address on Sunday March 15, 2020 suspended all public gatherings in the country.

The suspension included religious services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

All universities, senior high schools and basic schools – public and private schools were also ordered to close until further notice.

In accordance with the directives of the President, National Chief Imam Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharubutu announced the suspension of Muslim congregational prayers across the country.

Spokesperson for the Chief Imam Sheik Aremeyaw Shaibu said the Muslim community has been adequately prevailed upon to take seriously the directives and act accordingly.

Describing the situation of suspending congregational prayers across the country as unprecedented, he noted that it is the manifestation of the seriousness of the matter at hand.

He disclosed that the central mosque where the Chief Imam leads prayers has been locked and not accessible to the public in order to prevent persons from congregating in the mosque.

“The Chief Imam is leading the way to suspend all congregational prayers and indeed the tomorrow [Friday] he himself will not be going to the mosque to lead prayer. The central mosque is under lock to prevent people congregating because the congregation leads to an assembly and the assembling can lead to bodily contacts. Once there is bodily contact we are not sure what will happen” Sheik Aremeyaw said on Bolgatanga based Yem Radio monitored by MyNewsGh.com

He added that the Chief Imam is appreciative of the seriousness of the situation and is therefore not taking chances.

Source:MyNewsGh.com