The Chief Imam of Benin, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Enabulele, has thrown his weight behind those condemning the closure of schools by four Northern States for five weeks for the Ramadan fast.
DAILY POST reports that the four Northern States’ Governors—Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi—have ordered the closure of schools ranging from nursery to tertiary levels.
The groups, in separate statements, opined that the abrupt closure of schools not only hampers the educational advancement of students but also adversely affects teachers and staff who rely on their salaries for sustenance.
They also described the closure of educational institutions in some northern states for a month in commemoration of the Muslim Ramadan period as unconstitutional, discriminatory, and insensitive.
In an interview with newsmen in Benin City, Sheikh Abdul-Fatai Enabulele opined that it was not Islamic for institutions of learning to be closed down for Ramadan.
“Islam encourages us to seek knowledge in any manner. It shouldn’t be a question of closing down the school. What they should have done was to close at 12 p.m., but not totally.
“It is totally non-Islamic. There is no Quranic verse or saying of the Prophet that supports that behavior. We should be magnanimous. Let us respect ourselves.
“Muslims should also understand that when you are fasting, it doesn’t mean you have to go inside and sleep. You have to go and look for your daily bread.
“So, don’t close down the school because you are fasting. If you want to help them, let them close by 12 p.m.
“We have to continue to acquire knowledge, and you see ulamas go on television and radio explaining the Qur’an—that is knowledge,” he said.
He also added, “What do they go to school to do? Is it not to acquire knowledge? It doesn’t make sense because Islam says that when you are fasting, you continue to acquire knowledge.”
He noted that closing down schools further deprives students of acquiring knowledge.
“Education is empowerment, so let us encourage our children to acquire knowledge. I don’t support closing down schools, and Islam doesn’t support it,” he added.