President Muhammadu Buhari said he observed yesterday’s Juma’at prayers at the Presidential Villa mosque out of consideration for the avoidable hardship imposed on members of the public by road closures and other security measures which presidential movements to the National Mosque necessitate.
The president said this in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.
The presidential spokesman said Buhari had accordingly decided that henceforth, he would mostly observe the Juma’at prayers with other Muslims at the Presidential Villa Mosque.
He said Buhari would still join the larger Muslim community for Friday prayers at the National Mosque and other mosques in Abuja occasionally. This was the first time ever that the Juma’at prayers were observed inside the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja.
Buhari, alongside his aides, attended the prayer which was led by the Imam of the Presidential Villa mosque, Mallam Abdulwaheed Suleiman. Many of the staff of the State House formed part of the delegation.
Until yesterday, Buhari, like his Muslim predecessors, had been observing Juma’at prayers at the National Mosque Abuja. Former vice president Mohammad Namadi Sambo also observed the Juma’at prayers at the National Mosque except instances when he was not in Abuja.
-Daily Trust
