Heavy Downpours, Flood Threaten Muslims’ Eid Prayers in Lagos

An early morning downpour on Saturday threatens the chances of Muslims gathering for prayers on the occasion of this year’s Eid-il-Kabir.

Muslims are expected to troop to praying grounds in their thousands for prayers after which the sacrificial rams are to be slaughtered in symbolic demonstration of Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God through the sacrifice of his only son, Ismail.

As early as 5am Saturday, it has been raining in most parts of Lagos. Most praying grounds slate their prayers for 9am and most of them are out in the open spaces.

The rains which have also caused floods in many parts of the metropolis are feared to be capable of causing hinderance to movements.

READ ALSO:

• My father gives me N30,000 for each child I abduct — Female kidnapper
• Kuje Prison attack: Boko Haram had superior weapons, number — FG
• ISWAP Intercepts Food Meant For IDPs In Borno, Loots 4 Trucks

Many families travel as far as three to five kilometres to their residences for their preferred praying grounds.

Our correspondent who visited the Agege area of Lagos in the early hours of Saturday reported that the routes to many praying grounds around the area are flooded.

“We are only hoping that the rains would stop so we can go out,’Ustaz Muhammad Warees, Chief Imam of Al-HIkmah Islamic Centre, Agege, Lagos.

The last time the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) alerted on the weather condition was July 1 when it reported of three days of clouding and weather storm.

Also on Friday, heavy rains prevented many Muslims from getting out for the weekly Friday prayers.