Saudi Ambassador to Ghana urges Muslims to adjust to coronavirus preventive directives during Ramadan

The Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Ghana H.E Meshal Hamdan Al-Rogi, has wished the National Chief Imam Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu, the Imam of Ahlus-sunnah Sheikh Umar Ibrahim and all Muslims in Ghana Ramadan Mubarak.

The Ambassador also seized the opportunity to urge all Muslims, to accept and adapt to the changes brought about by the Coronavirus pandemic in so far as Islamic worship and prayer is concern during this period of Ramadan.

The changes, informed by the President’s call to adhere to personal protective directives to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, is not just obedience to our leaders but also to the Almighty Allah and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him).

According to the Saudi Ambassador, he appreciates the sentimental feelings of all Muslims to Ramadan fast and therefore their inability to go to the mosque to observe the Taraweeh congregational prayer.

“The mere fact that we cannot break the fast with friends, the vulnerable in society and our neighbours is equally discomforting. But we must remember that we are not in normal times. We are confronted with a new deadly virus across the globe and all hands must be on deck to stop the spread. This is the time for Muslims to stand together in solidarity and help one another to observe the Ramadan fast amidst the fight against the COVID-19 disease,” he said

It was in this spirit that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through its Embassy in Ghana, donates 50 tons of the date fruits to the friendly people of Ghana every year before the beginning of the Ramadan Fast.

The Kingdom has also pledged a 500-million-dollar donation to the World Health Organization (WHO) to help in its global fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic which has infected over three million people, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU).



Ban on social gathering

In a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Ghana, President Akufo-Addo announced a ban on all social gatherings in the country.

The ban meant that all conferences, workshops, funerals, festivals, political rallies, and religious gatherings, and other related events were put on hold.

Muslims have been left with the choice of praying at home as the ban prevents them from going to the mosque for worship and prayer in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

This has never happened in the history of the modern world.