Determined to instill the fear of God and discipline among Muslim community in Jalingo town of Taraba State, all forms of wedding parties have been banned in the area.
According to the Muslim Council of Taraba State, the outlawed wedding parties are the Kauyawa day (Villagers’ Days) and Ajo parties where the youths, including young boys and girls, dress in tattered clothes and dance mostly from evening to night in the name of wedding celebrations.
The ban is jointly endorsed by all the imams in Jalingo under the Muslim Council of Taraba State with support from the traditional rulers and the relevant authorities.
It was reliably gathered that the ban was the main subject of sermon (Khuduba) delivered by all imams of Jummat mosques in Jalingo, during last Friday prayers.
A statement by Imam Tajudeen Nuhu, the Chief Imam of Mayo Gwoi Jummat Mosque, Jalingo, on behalf of Taraba Muslim Council, stated that, “Henceforth, it is forbidden for any household to hold ‘Kauyawa,’ parties, ‘Ajo,’ or any form of celebration during weddings here in Jalingo.”
The Council warned that any Muslim who violates the ban, no Imam will officiate the marriage contract (Nikah) in his house.
The ban also stopped Imams or clerics from offering funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah) when death occurs in the households of those who violate the order.
Additionally, no scholar, male or female, will attend to deliver wedding Islamic lectures as well as naming ceremony in the house of any person that violates the order.
Imams and clerics were however warned that any of them that participate in funeral, naming ceremony in the household of those who violate this ruling will face disciplinary action, including removal from their position as imam.
Importantly, the Muslim Council urged all Muslims in Jalingo to comply with the ban meant to install sanity, fear of God and discipline among Muslim community across the State
