Tahir Ahmad, Kenya Correspondent
‘Sadr Sahib, it has been long since we saw each other, due to the government’s directive to suspend gatherings….’, I happened to tele-communicate to the local President of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nairobi, Ismail Bakari Sahib.
‘It is for the betterment of both of us, we have to pray hard so that Allah the Almighty saves us from this pandemic…’, was his response.
Prior to this, the government of Kenya had ordered that no churches, mosques or any religious gatherings are allowed in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Following this, Amir and Missionary in-charge Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kenya, Tariq Mahmood Zafar Sahib, issued a notice to all Jamaat countrywide. He said that in view of government’s directive, Jumuah prayers as well as the five daily congregational prayers should be offered at home and not at the mosques until further notice.
However, mosques should remain opened. He also directed that all Ahmadis should follow the guidelines given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa and the Ministry of Health and WHO.
‘We have to take heed to the government directive, and indeed Amir Sahib’s advice…’ said a missionary. However, all Missionaries and indeed all Jamaat Auxiliaries, including Lajna Imaillah, Ansarullah, Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya through their respective Presidents have urged their members to continue going through the Ijtema syllabi, reading the Holy Quran frequently at their homes, doing tabligh to their neighbours whenever possible, praying five times in congregation at their homes with family members.
Additionally, members are urged to observe Voluntary Fasts on Mondays or Thursdays or both, not forgetting to offer Tahajjud prayers every day.
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
‘And We will try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives, and fruits; but give glad tidings to the patient, Who, when a misfortune overtakes them, say, ‘Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.’ It is these on whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy, and it is these who are rightly guided.’ (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.156-158)
Indeed, it is a difficult and trying situation, as both members try their best in order to keep themselves safe from the disease, which according to the Ministry of health, the confirmed cases are 28 as of 25 March 2020.
We all pray that may Allah the Almighty give us strength, calmness and patience. Amin