Sallah: FCT minister calls for low-key celebrations

By Taofeek Lawal, Abuja

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, has advised residents to mark the end of 2021 Ramadan fast in low key.

The minister called for modest celebrations after meeting with a delegation from the FCT League of Imams Initiative led by its Chairman, Imam (Dr) Tajudeen Adigun to discuss the modalities of holding the Eid prayers.

According to the minister, the decision was necessited by the coronavirus pandemic which is still ravaging the globe.

He however, thanked the religious leaders for their cooperation in the course of the battle against COVID-19 in the FCT. He  said having gone through a first wave of the pandemic and a second wave that caused more fatalities and had increased number of positives, it was imperative to prevent a possible third wave as is being witnessed in some countries across the world.

Bello said the directive is based on presentations made by officials of the Health and Human Services Secretariat of the FCTA and the Implementation Guidelines for Phased Restriction of Movement issued by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, recently.

The minister said, “There will be no Eid prayers at the National Eid prayer ground along the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway (Airport Road). All worshippers are enjoined to hold Eid prayers outdoors within the premises of their neighborhood Juma’at mosques. Indoor worship are to be limited to less than 50 percent 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.”

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