Media Statement On Temporary Closure Of OAU Central Mosque of Unity And Suspension Of MSSNOAU Routine Activities

MEDIA STATEMENT ON TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF OAU CENTRAL MOSQUE OF UNITY AND SUSPENSION OF MSSNOAU ROUTINE ACTIVITIES

MEDIA STATEMENT by Abdulgiyath Salman Akanni

OAU Central Mosque of Unity

1.     OAU has large number of students which is about 15,000, Teaching Staffs, Technical Staffs, Administrative Staffs, Other Staffs, Motorists and Marketers which can results to COVID-19 when we have Foreigner that is of COVID-19 positive is in the midst of the aforementioned personnel on campus. We has received information from the Ministry of Health (MOH) that there are some individuals that are tested with COVID-19 positive who are from another country. MSSNOAU MEDIA DEPARTMENT is follow the trend on Twitter handle of the concerned MINISTRIES.

2. In addition, Since Friday, 20 March, OAU CENTRAL MOSQUE OF UNITY has been closed till further notice from the Muslim Community for disinfection. OAU Muslim Community OAUMC and Muslim Students' Society of Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Branch MSSNOAU has cancelled all mosque activities, AlUsrah, Sisters Circle, Madrasah,  Tutorial Classes and Other Activities till further notice.

3. Communal activities such congregational prayers (daily and Friday) may expose congregants to transmission of the virus by unsuspecting infected individuals. The ISLAMIC AFFAIRS BOARD has released a fatwa on the permissibility of closing mosques and suspending the Friday congregational prayer where the need arises in the interest of public health and safety. This position is similar to that adopted by many international fatwa bodies in relation to COVID-19. Accordingly, with the concurrence of MISSION BOARD OF OAU MUSLIM COMMUNITY, Friday prayers at The Central Mosque on 20th March 2020 was suspended. Muslims should perform their regular noon (Zuhur) prayers in place of the congregational prayers. Friday messages will be disseminated online in place of the sermon. This is to ensure that the Muslim community continues to receive religious guidance and reminders even if mosques are closed and Friday prayers are suspended.

4. OAUMC wishes to emphasise that these are temporary measures to proactively minimise the possible spread of COVID-19 in our mosques. OAUMC continues to monitor the situation and will update the students and general public accordingly. They seeks the support and the understanding of the Muslims in general for such preemptive measures to safeguard public health and the well-being of all Muslims on Campus and Ile-Ife. It is part of our religious and social responsibility to do so. 

5. OAUMC advises the general public to maintain best practices in hygiene and socially responsible behaviour during this period, and avoiding physical handshakes. We should continue to remain spiritually resilient and support each other, especially those who are vulnerable in our community. 

MSSNOAU MEDIA CREW

1.   SALMAN Abdulgiyath Akanni - ICT DIRECTOR AND PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN

2.   AZEEZ Afeez Akinola - PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER I

3.   RAJI Rukoyat Ronke - PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER II

4.   AREH Olabisi Rukoyah - EDITOR-IN-CHIEF