The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh Abdulfattah Enabulele, on Thursday morning, lend his voice to the widespread condemnations of the five weeks closure of schools for Ramadan fasting by some Northern governors.
It would be recalled that the Governors of Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi states, recently ordered the closure of schools ranging from nursery to tertiary levels for the observance of Ramadan fasting
The development has continued to attract condemnations from Nigerians, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Civil Rights Groups, and ActionAid Nigeria, AAN.
These groups in separate statements opined that the abrupt closure of schools not only hampered the educational advancement of students in the affected states but also adversely affected teachers and staff who rely on their salaries for sustenance.
They also described as unconstitutional, discriminatory and insensitive, the closure of educational institutions in these northern states for a month in commemoration of the Muslim Ramadan period.
Reacting to the actions of the governors during an interview with newsmen in Bein, Enabulele opined that it was not Islam for schools/institutions of learning to be closed down for Ramadan
According to him, Islam encourages us to seek knowledge in any manner, it should not be a question of closing down the Schools, what they should have done was to close at 12pm but not total closure.
“It totally non Islamic. There is no Quranic verse or saying of the Prophet Prophet Muhammad (SAW) that supports that behaviour. We should be magnanimous, let us respect ourselves.
“The Muslims should also understand that when you are fasting it does not mean you have to go inside and sleep, you have to go and look for your daily bread.
“So, do not close down schools because you are fasting, if you want to help them, let them go to school and close by 12 pm.
“We have to continue to acquire knowledge and you see ulamas go to the television and radio, explaining the Qur’an, that is knowledge”, he said.
He also added that, “What do they go to do in school?. Is it not to acquire knowledge?. It does not make sense because Islam says when you are fasting you continue to acquire knowledge.
He noted that closing down the school further deprived the students of acquiring knowledge.
“Education is empowerment, so let us encourage our children to acquire knowledge. I do not support closing down schools during Ramadan and Islam does not support it,” he stated.
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