Flooding compels closure of a 40-yr-old Friday Mosque in Kankia
By Zubairu Idris
The Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’kamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS), Kankia local government, Katsina State, has announced the closure of its 40-year-old Friday Mosque located at Layi quarters as a result of flooding.
In the announcement made by Sheikh Khalil Kasim, Juma’at prayers would henceforth be conducted at Masjid Ibn Taymiyya in Gurara area of the town.
Before the flooding, the Gurara Mosque is being used for the daily prayers, not for the weekly Friday congregational prayer.
He said, “as a result of flooding that submarged the Mosque, prayers will no longer be observed in the place until further notice.”
The JIBWIS Chairman in the area, Alhaji Umaru Bature, said that the decision was reached during a meeting with the Chief Imam of the Mosque, Malam Tasiu Umar and the Chairman of the Mosque Committee, Malam Alkhamis Rabiu.
He said that the one-storey Mosque, was constructed in 1985.
Bature revealed that experts advised the closure of the worship place because it has been submarged by water as a result of the flooding experienced recently in the town.
He said that the experts advised that it would be dangerous to use the Juma’at Mosque even after the flood water receded.
“We have closed it because it can collapse at any moment, now or even after the rainy season, water had already penetrated below the building’s foundation.
“So, that is why we took the decision, worshippers will feel secured during prayers.
“Not only Friday prayer, even five daily prayers should not be conducted there, as we have barricaded the entire area because we intend to demolish it and construct another one,” he said.
He, therefore, solicited contributions from the entire Muslim faithful on its reconstruction.
“We welcome contribution from all in the cause of Allah. We already have our new building design for anyone with intention of constructing another one for us,” he said.
The flood on September 3, covered many areas in Kankia, Headquarters of Kankia local government area, destroying many houses and rendering hundreds of people homeless.
