The worshippers at the Agege Mosque Mosque (Hausa Community) have come under criticism from Nigerian Muslims for attacking COVID-19 taskforce and journalists who were on duty while enforcing the stay-at-home order of the Lagos State government.
Muslim News had earlier reported how the worshippers attacked the government officials, including journalists who visited the mosque on Tuesday night, for monitoring and enforcement.
The mosque has since been sealed and disinfected by the officers from Agege Local Government for violation of the COVID-19 regulation.
Criticisms have continued to trail the action of the worshippers from Muslims who strongly condemned the gathering which led to the attack, saying that it was against the teachings of Islam.
Muhammad Bello, a social media user said, “What are these worshippers thinking? Where were they when agreement was made between the government and religious heads to stop all worships in the mosque?
“Can’t they pray at home at this trying time when Muslims in different parts of the world affected by the virus are also observing same? If an affected person were to be in the mosque, the calamity would be so disastrous given the number of people involved,” he added.
Another Muslim activist, Zayd Adeniyi noted that the action is unislamic, adding that the Agege worshippers cannot be holier than the Prophet of Islam who encouraged that every preventive means be followed to stop the spread of pandemic.
In his clarification, Adesanya Mutiu Adedeji said, “This is not Agege Central mosque. This is Hausa Mosque at Moshalashi Alhaja, Agege towards Otubu-pero bus-stop. It is different from Agege Central Mosque which is at Adebari AP Bus-stop, opposite Post-office agege, which is owned by the yorubas. The only Agege Central mosque, thanks.”
Muslim News however observed the inscriptions on the mosque as Central Mosque (Hausa Community), Agege.
Muhammad Malumfashi posted, “Our people are bringing insatiable number of shame to us. How on earth would sane people done such a thing? It’s so pathetic and unislamic. Islam doesn’t license us to revolt against our leaders. Moreever, the culprits shouldn’t be spared from punishment to serve as detriment and lesson to others. Enough of these fanatic tendencies. Let there be peace, love and obedience to leaders.”
Nasir Jamiu said the action was an affront to the Chief Imam of Lagos State, who is the head of Muslims in the state. He however cautioned people against misguided attacks on Islam because of the action of these worshippers, saying that it would amount to hasty generalisation.
“The Agege worshippers should be singled out for any reprimanding and criticism. Their action does not represent Islam. Critics and analysts should be well guided when making comments on the issue so as not to abuse the sensibilities of other Muslim faithfuls who have been law-abiding and of course are in the majority.”
Another user, Jubril Aminu explained that the Agege incident was similar to what happened in India where the general Muslims have been maligned by the Indian Press with #CoronaJihad for a defiant action carried out by the Jama’atu Tabligh.
He added that this unwarranted generalisation is unfair and could provoke other law-abiding Muslims.
All efforts to speak with the Chief Imam of the mosque by Muslim News proved abortive at the time of filing this report on Friday, as nobody was on sight when we visited the scene because the government had shut down the mosque following the incident.
By Abdullahi Abdulganiy
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