The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged Chief Imams, Islamic scholars and Muslim organisations nationwide to intensify public awareness of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) through Friday sermons, religious gatherings and community engagements.
The Council made the call in a public health advisory following the confirmation of an Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), urging religious leaders to support government efforts to contain the disease and prevent its spread.
The advisory was signed by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on behalf of the Council, under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.
The Council also called on State Councils for Islamic Affairs to mobilise their networks to educate Muslims and the general public on preventive measures, early reporting of suspected cases and the need to avoid spreading unverified information.
It urged persons suspected of infection to refrain from attending congregational prayers pending medical assessment.
It advised anyone experiencing symptoms associated with serious infectious diseases to seek prompt medical attention and avoid exposing others to possible infection.
The NSCIA commended the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) for their efforts towards containing the outbreak.
It, however, called for intensified disease surveillance, contact tracing, public enlightenment and improved preparedness of healthcare facilities, while stressing the need to protect healthcare workers and ensure timely dissemination of accurate information.
The Council said Ebola is a highly contagious and potentially fatal infection transmitted through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of infected persons who have developed symptoms, contaminated materials, or the bodies of people who have died from the disease.
It added that infection could also occur through contact with infected wild animals.
According to the advisory, symptoms may develop between two and 21 days after exposure and include fever, severe headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and, in some cases, unexplained bleeding.
The Council noted that the Bundibugyo strain associated with the current outbreak has no known approved vaccine or specific curative treatment, although early medical intervention and supportive care can significantly improve survival.
It advised Nigerians to practise regular handwashing, avoid direct contact with suspected cases and their bodily fluids, and promptly report suspected infections to the appropriate health authorities through the NCDC toll-free number, 6232.
The Council further urged the public to cooperate with health authorities during contact tracing and refrain from stigmatising affected individuals and their families.
Addressing the Muslim community, the NSCIA said the preservation of life, known in Islam as Hifz al-Nafs, is one of the fundamental objectives of Islamic law, or Maqasid al-Shari’ah.
It cited Qur’an 2:195, which cautions against actions that expose people to destruction, and recalled the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) guidance on restricting unnecessary movement into and out of areas affected by infectious disease outbreaks.
The Council stressed that religious faith and appropriate medical care should complement each other, urging Muslims to remain calm, act responsibly and follow the guidance of health professionals.
It also assured the Federal Government of its readiness to mobilise mosques, Islamic organisations and community leaders across the country to support disease prevention and public health education.
The NSCIA prayed for the protection of Nigeria, the recovery of those affected, the safety of healthcare workers and an end to the outbreak.