Some leaders of the Nigerian Muslim Community has called for
caution over the reported ban by Saudi Arabia on pilgrims from
West African countries, following the death in that country of a
patient, who contracted the Ebola Virus Disease, EVD, while he
was on a business trip to Sierra Leone.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Wednesday, reportedly suspended
pilgrimage visas for West Africa sub-region after World Health
Organisation, WHO, and Saudi authorities confirmed the
infection from tests that were conducted on samples from the
victim.
Although the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,
NSCIA, tactically avoided comment in order not to give way to
unnecessary controversy over the issue, some eminent leaders
like Baba Adinni of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou; Director, Muslim
Rights Concern, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola and former
National Commissioner, National Hajj Commission, Alhaji Liad
Tella agreed that the reported ban by Saudi Arabia authorities
was nothing to worry about.
Sheikh Abou said that since the EVD was not from Nigeria, there
was hope that Nigeria’s case in the matter would be explicitly
identified as not being part of the problem.
His words: “As at now, only the National Hajj Commission,
NAHCO, could give a position on the matter regarding the fate of
the affected countries. When a plague had broken out in an
area, why should people move from that area to another place
where hundreds of millions of people are congregating from all
over the world to worship?
“Even Islam teaches us that when things like this happen, that
our movements should be restricted. That is the Sharia and all
these are for our good health as stipulated by Islam. When the
few that are affected now take their problem to inflict the
millions of others that are free of it, does it do any good? It is
unIslamic to do that.
“Our appeal to the media is to be cautious about reportage of
this matter because Saudi Arabia is a straight‑forward, strict and
disciplined society. But we cannot blame them because this is
not the first time it is happening. It is, therefore, not a problem
at all. It is even Islamic that they are taking that precautionary
measure,” Sheikh Abou said.
In his own reaction, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu
Sanusi II said ” in spite of the spread of the virus, Nigerian
Muslims are still going to perform this year’s hajj.”
Professor Akintola on his part simply described the report of the
ban as an unverified information that only the National Hajj
Commission could clarify.
The university don said: “The National Hajj Commission are
better placed to know exactly what is happening. They are closer
to Saudi Arabia authorities and I believe that they are very active
on this. So, we are watching the situation, we are observing It
will be speculative when comments are based on what is likely
going to happen. Fairness and justice are not done to any side.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/ebola-worry-saudi-arabias-visa-suspension-w-africa-moslem-leaders/
I am awesome!