Religious Leaders and COVID-19 Guidelines Enforcement in Rural Communities of Nigeria

Abstract

The global response to the outbreak of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, and its rapid spread to over 200 countries/territories has been intense. Following the discovery of its index case on 27 February 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria, various measures were adopted at the federal, state and local levels to contain its spread. The enforcement of COVID-19 Guidelines/Protocols commenced on 30 March 2020 in the affected states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Thus, it is acknowledged that religious institutions and their leaders are crucial stakeholders in implementing these guidelines. This study used a qualitative research design to examine how religious leaders in Ijebu North-East Local Government Area responded to the enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines during total and relaxed lockdowns. It reveals that prominent Imāms at their respective mosques during the total lockdown suspended daily Salāwāt, Fridays congregational prayers (As-Salāt al-Jumu‘at), daily Ramadān Tafsīrul-Qur’ān, Iftārus-Sawm, Tarāwīh and Tahajjud, and celebration of ‘Īd-el-Fitri, ‘Īd-el-Adhā and Mawlud-en-Nabiyy. They offered their host communities spiritual and socio-welfare support in addition to disseminating information on COVID-19 prevention methods. During the relaxed lockdown, the NCDC’s COVID-19 Guidelines for Re-Opening Places of Worship were strictly followed. Inadequate resources, the lack of belief in the existence of COVID-19, un-Islamic traits of some wealthy Muslims, and a sense of distrust among some followers were identified challenges. The study concludes by suggesting how mosque leaders can proactively assist governments in eradicating coronavirus and related diseases.