President Muhammadu Buhari will observe the Eid El-Kabir prayers with his family at home, just as he did during the Eid El-Fitr a little over two months ago, the Presidency has announced.
Spokesman for President Buhari, Garba Shehu, said that the low key celebration is in line with advisories from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA and the Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19.
President Buhari, prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, hosted different groups during Sallah.
Shehu wrote:
In wishing all Muslims a safe and happy Eid, the President reiterated the protocols as issued by the PTF that large gatherings, as much as possible, should be discouraged.
He also stated:
Where small groups choose to hold the Eid together, face masks are absolutely necessary, as is social distancing.
Advisedly, such prayers should hold outdoors and worshippers are encouraged to bring their own prayer mats.
In order to stop the spread of the disease, the President will not be receiving Sallah homages by religious, community, party and government leaders and urges all citizens to observe the occasion as advised by state and local authorities.
In May, the Presidency announced that President Buhari will be conducting his Eid prayers with his family at home.
According to the Presidency, this was part of efforts “to save lives and protect people from all dangers.”
According to a statement issued by Shehu, the move was also in line with the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who suspended Eid congregational prayers across the country as well as the protocol against mass gathering issued by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.
Recall that in 2018, President Buhari trekked 800 kilometres as he marked the Eid-el-Kabir celebration in his hometown of Daura, Katrina State.