By Yusupha Jobe
Supreme Islamic Council (SIC) has called all Imams across the country to close Mosques as part of efforts to contain further spread of coronavirus pandemic in the country.
In a televised statement, the SIC president Imam Mohammed Lamin Touray appealed to all Imams to temporarily close their mosques in other to prevent everyone from the contact and spread of the virus which can easily spread or contact through public gathering
“We are only appealing to the public to adhere to advice given by government, as given the responsibility by God to protect her people,” Imam Touray appealed.
He said the decision is part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic and also it is a step been taking in other parts of the world. He added that The Gambia is not the only country to suggest the temporary closure of its public worship places.
According to him, “if you go back to history of Islam, a religion that leaves nothing behind you will find that what the Prophet has advised his followers over thousand years back that whenever a pandemic occurs in any part of the world, no one should get out of the place to other parts of the world likewise no person should also travelled going to such particular part of the world.”
This, he said, has nothing to do with lacking faith in God but is only a religious mechanism given to us by God to protect ourselves as human beings.