By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kella, has told Politico that the government has agreed in principle to allow Muslims in the country to hold congregational prayers on Eid-ul-Adha (Dunkay Sally).
The occasion of Eid-ul-Adha is marked in Islamic tradition as the day Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) almost sacrificed his son Prophet Ismail in obedience to God. The day is marked as the climax of the Hajj season, during which millions of Muslims from across the world visit the holy land of Mecca for pilgrimage.
This year’s Eid occasion is expected to fall on either Thursday or Friday.
Kella told Politico on Tuesday that the final decision will be given by the NACOVERC.
“In principle, we have accepted that they hold congregational prayers. But the final decision will come from NACOVERC. As we speak the Islamic leaders are in a meeting with NACOVERC,” he said.
Kella said despite the green light from government, they will be working with security forces to make sure popular venues for Eid prayers are not congested.
“Wherever they are praying, they are required to just occupy 50% of the normal capacity that they use to take. They must also adhere to social distancing by keeping a distance of three meters each. People must also use facemasks,” Kella said.
He said Police would be out to visit prayer sites to make sure these precautions are adhered to.
Imam Mohamed Ali Sesay is the President of Jafaria Islamic Mission in Sierra Leone, an organization that organizes Eid prayers at the International Institute of Islamic Studies in Freetown.
He said they will take a roll to ensure their venue doesn’t take its full capacity.
“We will make sure we take the names of people so when the venue is half full, that is around 250 to 300 people, and then we will shut down the gates,” he said.
He said as an Islamic association, it is mandatory for them to protect their congregation by ensuring that all health guidelines are followed.
“Islam’s fundamental principle is to safeguard life,” he said, adding that this is why they will ensure that everyone visiting their prayer site at Wilkinson Road washes their hand before entry and use facemasks.
Sheikh Ali Kallay, another Islamic scholar, told Politico that hand washing will not be difficult for Muslims because it’s part of the Islamic culture.
“Our religion has always spoken about cleanliness and hand washing is just part of that,” Sheikh Kallay said.
Religious places have only been open for worship barely two weeks ago after they were shut down due to fears of COVID-19. This latest move will be a test to see how Islamic leaders organize their congregation.
Out effort to reach NACOVERC for a comment on the issue proved futile.
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