NSCIA Urges Muslims With Suspected Ebola Symptoms to Avoid Congregational Prayers

By: Ganiyu Olayinka

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged people suspected of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) infection to stay away from congregational prayers until they have been medically assessed, and called for more public awareness and preventive measures.

The council, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said this in a statement on Wednesday by its Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, following reports of laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The NSCIA commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for their efforts to contain the disease. It urged federal and state governments to strengthen disease surveillance, contact tracing, public enlightenment and healthcare preparedness, and to make sure health workers are adequately protected.

The council explained that Ebola spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people who have developed symptoms, through contaminated materials, and through the bodies of people who have died from the disease. Contact with infected wild animals can also cause infection.

According to the statement, symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure. They include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding. The NSCIA said the Bundibugyo strain linked to the reported outbreak has no known approved vaccine or specific cure, but early medical care and supportive treatment can improve survival.

It advised Nigerians to wash their hands regularly, avoid direct contact with suspected cases and their bodily fluids, and report suspected infections promptly to health authorities. People with symptoms and possible exposure should seek immediate medical guidance, avoid close contact with others and follow health professionals’ instructions.

The council asked Chief Imams, Islamic scholars, state councils for Islamic affairs and Muslim organisations to step up public awareness through Friday sermons, religious gatherings and community engagement. Citing the Islamic principle of preserving life, it said faith, prayer and appropriate medical care complement one another rather than conflict. It also urged the public to cooperate with contact tracing, avoid spreading unverified information and refrain from stigmatising affected people and their families.

The NSCIA pledged to mobilise its nationwide network of mosques, Islamic organisations and community leaders to support disease prevention and public health education.