President Muhammadu Buhari has on Thursday celebrated with Muslim faithful on the commencement of the 2020 month of Ramadan, following the sighting of the moon. However, he warned Muslims against performing Islamic rituals in mass to avoid further spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, he said: " I congratulate all Muslims as they commence this year’s Ramadan fast which is depicted by self-denial, universal brotherhood, austerity and helping relatives and needy people."
The President described the 2020 Ramadan "as a challenge, falling as it is in the period of the global pandemic."
He urged Muslim faithful to avoid the tradition of group meals of Sahoor and iftar as well as other Ramadan rituals of Congregational prayers.
"In this Ramadan period, the kind of socializing you are used to now risks spreading the Coronavirus," the president said.
