Ebola: JNI tasks Imams, Ulamas on sensitization

From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

As the Ebola virus continue to cause panic among Nigerians, Jama’atul Naril Islam, JNI yesterday called on Imams and Ulamas to continue sensitizing their respective followers on the dangers of the disease and the preventive measures they are supposed to imbibe.

The JNI made the call in a statement signed by the group’s Secretary General, Sheikh Khalid Abubakar Aliyu made available to newsmen in Kaduna.

According to the group, Nigeria has now joined the league of West African Nations with the deadly Ebola outbreak with Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia taking the lead.

“As confirmed by medical experts, the disease was first discovered in monkeys and contacted by those who eat monkeys and other bush meats.

“Alas, in Islam eating of monkeys had already been discouraged (Makruh), according to many scholars of Islamic jurisprudence. Thus, we should continue to uphold this verdict as it also serves as a preventative measure.

“The culture of personal hygiene as well as proper sanitation must always be emphasized. Thus, Islam is a religion of cleanliness. Cleanliness is half of faith as reported in a sound Hadith. Therefore, we call on Imams and Ulamas to continue sensitizing their respective followers on the dangers of the disease and the preventative measures they are supposed to imbibe.

“More so, our MASAJID (Mosques) managers must maintain high level of sanitation for the teeming congregation of worshipers. Worshipers on the other hand, must cooperate in maintaining the sanitary condition of the MASAJID (Mosques).

“Most specific areas where the sanitation and or preventive measures are needed are the surroundings of the MASAJID (Mosques), the toilets/bathrooms and above all, funeral/burial of our dead ones must be conducted with caution.

“Symptoms of the disease include fever, sore throat, muscle pains and head – aches. Often nausea, vomiting and diarrhea follow along with severe internal and external bleeding in advanced stages of the disease.

“It is therefore, worthy to note that the entire World is taking stringent proactive steps as well as preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus; therefore the Nigerian Muslims should not be left out in taking proper measures of protecting themselves,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kaduna state government has set up an emergency steering committee to curtail the spread of the disease to the state.

Peoples Daily gathered that the taskforce Committee would be chaired by the State Deputy Governor, Ambassador Audu Nuhu Bajoga.

The committee would advise government on what steps to take to stop the virus from entering the state, following the state governor’s directive that a task force be formed to tackle the issue of Ebola in the state.