Imam Fuad Adeyemi, the National Chief Imam of Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Society, has criticised the decision by some northern state governments, including Bauchi, Katsina, Kano, and Kebbi, to close schools for five weeks during Ramadan. He expressed concern that the closure does not align with the true spirit of Islam, which emphasises dedication to God and hard work during the fasting period.
Adeyemi highlighted that Ramadan is a time for focus and devotion, not a period for idleness or entertainment. He drew historical parallels, referencing the resilience of early Muslims during the Battle of Badr, which took place during Ramadan, to stress the importance of maintaining focus and commitment even during challenging times.
The Imam further stated that Ramadan should not be used as an excuse to disrupt essential activities, such as education, and that Islam encourages people to work and engage in their daily responsibilities, stopping only for prayers.
The closure of schools has sparked outrage, with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) condemning it as discriminatory and counterproductive, especially in a region with high levels of poverty and illiteracy. CAN also expressed concern that the school closures would exacerbate Nigeria’s educational crisis, citing UNICEF’s report that over 18 million Nigerian children are out of school as of 2024.
