Flood forces worshipers to abandon 40-yr-old Friday mosque

Worshippers in Kankia have been forced to abandon their 40-year-old Friday Mosque in Layi Quarters after severe flooding rendered the building unsafe.

The Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’kamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) confirmed the closure, announcing that the Friday congregational prayers will now hold at Masjid Ibn Taymiyya in Gurara, a mosque that normally serves daily prayers.

Sheikh Khalil Kasim explained, “As a result of flood that submerged the Mosque, prayers will no longer be observed in the place until further notice.”

According to JIBWIS Chairman in the area, Alhaji Umaru Bature, the decision followed consultations with the Chief Imam, Malam Tasiu Umar, and the Chairman of the Mosque Committee, Malam Alkhamis Rabiu. He noted that the mosque, a one-storey building constructed in 1985, has been badly affected.

Experts, he said, advised the closure, warning that the structure could collapse.“We have closed it because it can collapse at any moment, now or even after the rainy season, water had already penetrated deep below the building’s foundation, so, that is why we took the decision.“Not only Juma’at prayer, even the five daily prayers should not be conducted there, as we have already barricaded the entire area.“We intend to demolish for reconstruction,” Bature stated.

He appealed for support to rebuild the mosque, urging Muslims and organisations to contribute towards its reconstruction.“We welcome contributions from all in the cause of Allah. We already have our new building design for anyone with intention of reconstructing another one for us,” he added.

The incident comes after heavy flooding in Kankia displaced hundreds of residents and destroyed properties valued at billions of naira, marking the worst devastation the town has witnessed in four decades.